Betting Battles: Hisbah Police Crackdown Intensify as Innovation Startup Confronts Nigeria’s Gaming Giants

Meet CEOs/MDs of business behind Nigeria’s $2 billion Sports wagering industry.

sports betting has developed substantially in Nigeria from traditional forms like pool staking and Baba Ijebu to a successful sports betting wagering market. Historically connected to European football leagues, pool staking was a common sight at motor parks and kiosks, where lovers would bet as little as N50-N200 on matches.

Gradually, with increased internet gain access to came virtual wagering, which parallels global patterns. The sports betting wagering market is valued at $89.91 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to almost double to $182.02 billion by 2030.

Despite economic difficulties such as inflation, Nigeria’s sports betting sector has grown, attracting millions, particularly among the younger demographic dealing with high unemployment rates.

Reports suggest that approximately 60 million Nigerians aged 18-40 actively engage in sports betting, driving a market that creates an approximated yearly income of N730 billion. The federal government has not gone undetected by this development, which is considering regulatory steps like import tax responsibilities and VAT increases to handle the sector.

The National Lottery Act of 2005 recognized regulatory bodies like the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to ensure fair operations in spite of challenges in enforcement. Concerns such as insufficient age confirmation and marketing rule breaches show industry regulatory spaces.

In spite of these obstacles, sports betting business continue to thrive through reliable business designs and aggressive marketing techniques, leveraging the developer influencer industry.

These efforts have added to Nigeria’s robust $2 billion sports betting sector, with CEOs playing crucial roles in expanding audience reach and driving market development. Here are the CEOs of leading sports betting wagering business who have actually substantially added to Nigeria’s $2 billion sports betting empire through their extensive audience reach.

Constable Olaniyan – CEO Surebet247

Sheriff Olaniyan is the CEO of Surebet247, sports betting a sports betting book business he co-founded with Badmos Olasupo in 2011. His diverse career spans different roles in the gaming and show business, including operating at among the United Kingdom’s biggest video gaming centres, The Palace Bingo Club, where he acted as the Lead Engineer in a Bingo and Bowling Club.

Olaniyan holds a BSc in Geography from the University of Ilorin and a Master’s in Geographical Information Systems from the University of Glamorgan, Wales. Surebet247, founded in August 2011, sports betting has actually turned into a leading e-commerce service in the sports betting and video gaming sector, operating through online, sports betting mobile, and sports betting retail channels. The company was integrated in Nigeria on November 7, 2006, and sports betting has because expanded its existence, achieving over 5,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Sam Sadi – CEO Livescorebet

Sam Sadi has over 25 years of experience in wagering brands and sports betting media. In 2019, he became the CEO of LiveScore Group, a fully incorporated community that combines appropriate sports betting material, sports betting engaging features, and a first-rate sportsbook.

Given that taking the helm right before the pandemic, Sam has actually driven substantial growth for LiveScore Group. The business’s staff member headcount has actually increased by 29%, and yearly profits has actually surged from approximately ₤ 10 million to over ₤ 80 million.

Sam’s management and strategic vision have actually propelled LiveScore Group’s success and helped form the market’s instructions. LiveScoreBet has actually achieved major user engagement, with over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Anthony Werkman – CEO of Betway Group

Anthony Werkman was selected CEO of Betway in November 2017, having formerly acted as the business’s Marketing and Operations Director given that 2015. He signed up with Betway in 2013 and has actually remained in the online gaming industry given that 2000, holding different successful functions, including General Manager of a data analytics team and Director of a digital marketing firm.

Under Werkman’s management, Betway has continued to grow its market presence and enhance its offerings. The company’s app has actually amassed significant user engagement, with over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Damilare Alabi, Co-Founder, Managing Director NairaBET

Damilare Alabi has actually differentiated herself as a senior executive with a track record of transforming start-ups into institutionalized organizations. Her proficiency covers the gaming, property, and credit lending markets, sports betting where he has established himself as a tactical and operational leader.

Damilare has actually been instrumental in NairaBET’s success for over 14 years. Because June 2019, she has worked as Managing Director and has actually managed the business’s growth and operations in Lagos, Nigeria.

Before this, she was the Chief Operating Officer from 2010 to June 2019, pivotal in the company’s functional techniques and market expansion.

She founded DearDammy Women’s Initiative (DDWIN), a non-profit organization empowering women-owned organizations. DDWIN offers frHer instructional background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Geology/Earth Science from the University of Ibadan, completed in 2005.

Akin Alabi, the creator of NairaBET.com, Nigeria’s pioneering sports betting bookmaking company, developed business in 2009. While NairaBET was not the first sports betting platform in Nigeria, it was the very first to introduce a fully practical site, setting a benchmark in the market.

Femi Babalola- General Manager of 1Xbet Nigeria Limited

Femi Babalola is the Managing Director of 1XBET Nigeria Limited, a franchise of the global sports betting wagering company based in Cyprus. 1XBET, founded in 2007 by the late Sergey Karshkov, has actually established itself as one of the largest bookies in Europe and sports betting the world. The business operates in more than 50 countries, consisting of Nigeria, where it is fully licensed.

Under Babalola’s leadership, 1XBET Nigeria has expanded its footprint in the competitive Nigerian sports betting market, sports betting using a large range of sports betting options and an easy to use platform. The 1XBET app has more than 500,000 downloads on the Play Store.

Gossy Ukanwoke – CEO of Betking Nigeria

Gossy Ukanwoke is the CEO of BetKing, Managing Director sports betting of KingMakers, and Chairman of Vend Capital. In addition to leading these ventures, sports betting Ukanwoke has collaborated with African socio-economic organizations and federal governments to design developmental policies focused on empowering youths. In 2015, sports betting Ernst & & Young honoured him as the Winner of the Accelerating Category– World Entrepreneur of the Year.

BetKing, sports betting established and sports betting launched in Nigeria on February 22, 2018, by Byron Petzer and Adekunle Adeniji, runs under the trademark name of Lake Ventures Ltd. This pan-African sports betting and entertainment business has rapidly grown its presence in Nigeria, with outlets in significant cities and over 500,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

In 2020, BetKing participated in a collaboration with the Lagos Employment Trust Fund, creating over 100,000 jobs, the variety of which is increasing each year. In the exact same year, MultiChoice broadcaster purchased a 20% stake in BetKing, which was increased to 49% in 2021.

Denise Coates – CEO Bet 365

Denise Coates is a British billionaire businesswoman, the creator, majority shareholder, and joint Chief Executive of Bet365, an online gaming company she developed in 2000. Bet365.com was launched in 2001 as an online sports betting website and has actually considering that turned into one of the world’s largest online gaming companies.

By 2016, Bet365 generated $2 billion in incomes and helped with $45 billion in yearly bets. The company also holds a bulk stake in Stoke City Football Club. Bet365 has gathered substantial user engagement, sports betting with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

Ayo Ojuroye – CEO/Cofounder Bet9ja

Ayo Ojuroye is the CEO and co-founder of Bet9ja, a leading sports betting company in Nigeria, developed alongside business person Kunle Soname, sports betting who likewise owns Portuguese club CD Feirense and Nigerian club Remo Stars.

Ojuroye is likewise the Chairman of Mango Asset Management, an independent Nigerian possession management company that produces financial investment returns and sports betting uses distinct investment insights and solutions to both private and institutional clients.

Founded in 2012 under KC Gaming Networks, Bet9ja has actually quickly grown in popularity, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store. Under Ojuroye’s leadership, sports betting Bet9ja has actually ended up being a considerable player in the Nigerian sports betting wagering industry.

Fikayo Ogunfuye – Country Director 22bet

Fikayo Ogunfuye is a seasoned expert in the sports betting wagering industry. He has actually been serving as the for 22BET in Nigeria considering that June 2021. In this function, he has actually contributed to the business’s development through partnerships, sports betting service technique, and new organization development.

Fikayo’s experience includes roles such as Chief Operations Officer (West Africa) at 22BET, where he managed item advancement and customer experience, and Country Manager at 22BET, focusing on marketing technique and spending plan management. Before 22BET, he led marketing efforts at LuckyBet.NG and held numerous digital marketing functions at Laclic Services and sports betting Betty Bingo.

His career began at Jumia Group, where he worked in SEO, CRM, and content management. Fikayo also functioned as a Human Resource Officer at SIFAX Group.

He holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Management and Accounting from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a Master of Science (MS) in Business Administration, Management, and Operations from ESTG University in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

22Bet is an online gambling platform that uses sports betting wagering, casino games, sports betting and live dealer video games. It was launched in 2017 and is owned and operated by Marikit Holdings Ltd, a company registered in Cyprus and a subsidiary of Orakum N.V.. They are likewise the owners of Betwinner and a chain of casinos worldwide.

Sudeep Ramnani– CEO Sportybet Group

Sudeep Ramnani is the Founder and CEO of SportyBet, a business he developed in 2013.

SportyBet is a worldwide sports betting wagering and sports betting real-money video gaming operator understood for sports betting providing an omni-channel home entertainment experience in controlled emerging markets. Under Ramnani’s leadership, SportyBet has actually ended up being a significant gamer in the market, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

In addition to his function at SportyBet, Sudeep is an active investor in fintech and mobile payments and a strong advocate for the growing African web environment. His financial investments show his dedication to fostering innovation and advancement within the area.

On April 30, 2024, Sudeep Ramnani invested in Chowdeck, taking part in a seed round valued at $2.5 million.

The firm is set to interrupt the sports betting industry.

Sunbet Sporting International Limited has said it is focused on changing how countless Africans engage with sports betting. In an industry worth over $1.5 billion annual, with double-digit development forecast in the coming years, according to reports from the African Sports Betting Association and sports betting PwC, the company intends to utilize innovative innovation and a commitment to accountable gaming to change the sector.

Backed by the financial power of 4 prominent African billionaires, Sunbet, which will release in the very first quarter of 2025, aims to be the continent’s biggest and most ingenious sports betting platform.

At a press rundown, the business’s spokesperson, Akin Babatunde, said that the rise in Internet penetration, mobile usage, and the continent’s deep passion for sports betting, particularly football, has set the stage for Sunbet’s ambitious entry. He added that the company’s robust financial backing and professional team will allow it to scale and control the market rapidly.

Islamic authorities raid wagering shops in northern Nigeria

Islamic cops in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano have started shutting down sports betting wagering stores, which they state are operating unlawfully.

“As you know, wagering is prohibited in Islam,” Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy chief of the Sharia police, called the Hisbah, told the BBC.

Grievances from community leaders and moms and dads triggered the crackdown, worried about the growing variety of sports betting addicts, he stated.

On the first day of raids, 30 shops were closed in one suburb alone, and their owners were sent out home with a warning, the Sharia officer said.

But Mr Aminudeen alerted that now that the general public was aware that the Hisbah was clamping down on sports betting, those flouting the guidelines would be arrested.

Kano city is the capital of Kano state, which has a bulk Muslim population and operates the Islamic legal system – Sharia – alongside secular law.

Bookmakers and bars tend to be permitted to run in Kano’s Christian neighbourhoods, though they too can face action if the Hisbah believes Muslims are frequenting them.

Nevertheless, the current crackdown is focused on Muslim locations of Kano, a vast city and the economic center of northern Nigeria.

sports betting wagering shops can be found all over the city. The majority of have tv screens, and clients watch the result of global football matches or horse races on which they have staked cash.

Mr Aminudeen said such bookies had been able to run under the radar as they had opened under false pretenses.

“They don’t have licences to run as they were allowed to run computer game centres, which they later converted to sports betting stores,” he stated.

The sports betting market has actually broadened dramatically across West Africa in the last few years. The area is approximately divided between a mainly Muslim north and a mainly Christian south.

Lots of people go to bookmakers to enjoy the camaraderie of other gamblers, though mobile apps are also popular for sports betting on the outcome of occasions and groups.

Nigeria’s debilitating economic crisis has also suggested individuals are willing to run the risk of a percentage in the hope of winning big.

However this had resulted in widespread dependency, and parents were even grumbling that children were leaving of school to bet, Mr Aminudeen said.

“These financial problems we are facing in Nigeria is God informing us to change our ways by stopping sins,” he stated.

The raids on Tuesday concentrated on Munjibir, considered a resort area in the northeast of the city– visitors flock there at weekends.

“I am advising those running those sports betting shops to either shut down or we’ll apprehend them and take them to [a Sharia] court,” Mr Aminudeen said.

It is unclear what penalty they would deal with – often, such violations carry a fine.

Sharia was presented in Kano in 2000 – as it was in 11 other Muslim-majority northern states – and prostitution, gaming and the usage of alcohol were banned.