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Betting Battles: Islamic Police Raids Intensify as Tech Startup Challenges Nigeria's Betting Giants

Meet CEOs/MDs of companies behind Nigeria's $2 billion Sports wagering industry.



Gaming has actually evolved significantly in Nigeria from conventional forms like pool staking and Baba Ijebu to a thriving sports betting wagering market. Historically tied to European football leagues, pool staking was a typical sight at motor parks and kiosks, where lovers would wager as low as N50-N200 on matches.

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


Despite financial obstacles such as inflation, Nigeria's sports betting sector has thrived, bring in millions, particularly amongst the vibrant group facing high unemployment rates.


Reports indicate that roughly 60 million Nigerians aged 18-40 actively take part in sports betting, driving a market that creates an approximated annual earnings of N730 billion. The federal government has actually not gone unnoticed by this growth, which is thinking about regulative procedures like excise duties and VAT increases to manage the sector.


The National Lottery Act of 2005 recognized regulatory bodies like the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to guarantee reasonable operations despite obstacles in enforcement. Issues such as inadequate age verification and advertising rule breaches reveal industry regulatory gaps.


In spite of these challenges, sports betting wagering companies continue to thrive through efficient service designs and aggressive marketing techniques, sports betting leveraging the developer influencer market.


These efforts have contributed to Nigeria's robust $2 billion sports betting sector, with CEOs playing important roles in broadening audience reach and driving market growth. Here are the CEOs of leading sports betting business who have significantly added to Nigeria's $2 billion gaming empire through their substantial audience reach.



Sheriff Olaniyan - CEO Surebet247


Sheriff Olaniyan is the CEO of Surebet247, a sports betting book company he co-founded with Badmos Olasupo in 2011. His diverse career covers numerous functions in the video gaming and show business, including operating at one of the United Kingdom's largest 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 become a leading e-commerce company in the sports betting and video gaming sector, operating through online, sports betting mobile, and retail channels. The company was included in Nigeria on November 7, 2006, and has actually because expanded its presence, accomplishing over 5,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.


Sam Sadi - CEO Livescorebet


Sam Sadi has over 25 years of experience in sports betting brand names and sports betting media. In 2019, he ended up being the CEO of LiveScore Group, a totally integrated environment that combines pertinent sports betting material, engaging features, and a first-rate sportsbook.


Considering that taking the helm prior to the pandemic, Sam has actually driven substantial development for sports betting LiveScore Group. The company's worker headcount has actually increased by 29%, and yearly profits has surged from approximately ₤ 10 million to over ₤ 80 million.


Sam's leadership and tactical vision have actually propelled LiveScore Group's success and assisted shape the industry's instructions. LiveScoreBet has achieved major sports betting user engagement, with over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.


Anthony Werkman - CEO of Betway Group


Anthony Werkman was designated CEO of Betway in November 2017, having previously functioned as the business's Marketing and sports betting Operations Director considering that 2015. He signed up with Betway in 2013 and has actually remained in the online video gaming industry because 2000, holding different effective functions, including General Manager of an information analytics group and Director of a digital marketing company.


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


Damilare Alabi, Co-Founder, Managing Director NairaBET


Damilare Alabi has identified herself as a senior executive with a track record of changing start-ups into institutionalized businesses. Her knowledge spans the video gaming, real estate, and credit lending markets, where he has actually developed himself as a tactical and operational leader.


Damilare has been instrumental in NairaBET's success for over 14 years. Given that June 2019, she has actually acted as Managing Director and has overseen 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 business's functional techniques and market expansion.


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


Akin Alabi, the founder of NairaBET.com, Nigeria's pioneering sports betting bookmaking business, established business in 2009. While NairaBET was not the very first sports betting platform in Nigeria, it was the very first to launch a completely practical site, setting a benchmark in the industry.


Femi Babalola- General Manager of 1Xbet Nigeria Limited


Femi Babalola is the Managing Director of 1XBET Nigeria Limited, sports betting a franchise of the worldwide sports betting business based in Cyprus. 1XBET, founded in 2007 by the late Sergey Karshkov, has actually developed itself as one of the largest bookies in Europe and the world. The business runs in more than 50 nations, consisting of Nigeria, where it is completely certified.


Under Babalola's leadership, 1XBET Nigeria has broadened its footprint in the competitive Nigerian sports betting market, providing a wide variety of sports betting choices 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 of KingMakers, and Chairman of Vend Capital. In addition to leading these ventures, Ukanwoke has worked together with African socio-economic organizations and governments to create developmental policies focused on empowering young people. In 2015, Ernst & & Young honoured him as the Winner of the Accelerating Category-- World Entrepreneur of the Year.


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


In 2020, BetKing entered into a partnership with the Lagos Employment Trust Fund, sports betting creating over 100,000 tasks, the number of which is increasing each year. In the same year, MultiChoice broadcaster bought 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 investor, and joint Chief Executive of Bet365, an online gaming company she established in 2000. Bet365.com was launched in 2001 as an online sports betting website and has actually considering that grown into among the world's biggest online gaming business.


By 2016, Bet365 created $2 billion in earnings and assisted in $45 billion in annual bets. The company likewise holds a majority stake in Stoke City Football Club. Bet365 has amassed significant user engagement, 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 wagering business in Nigeria, established along with business person Kunle Soname, who also owns Portuguese club CD Feirense and Nigerian club Remo Stars.


Ojuroye is also the Chairman of Mango Asset Management, an independent Nigerian property management company that generates investment returns and uses distinct financial investment insights and options to both specific and institutional customers.


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


Fikayo Ogunfuye - Country Director 22bet


Fikayo Ogunfuye is a skilled professional in the sports betting wagering industry. He has been serving as the Country Director for 22BET in Nigeria since June 2021. In this role, sports betting he has actually contributed to the company's development through collaborations, service method, and brand-new business advancement.


Fikayo's experience consists of roles such as Chief Operations Officer (West Africa) at 22BET, where he handled product advancement and client experience, sports betting and Country Manager at 22BET, concentrating on marketing strategy and budget management. Before 22BET, he led marketing efforts at LuckyBet.NG and held numerous digital marketing functions at Laclic Services and Betty Bingo.


His career started at Jumia Group, sports betting where he worked in SEO, CRM, and content management. Fikayo likewise functioned as a Officer at SIFAX Group.


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


22Bet is an online sports betting platform that uses sports betting wagering, casino video games, and live dealer games. It was released 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 also the owners of Betwinner and a chain of gambling establishments worldwide.


Sudeep Ramnani-- CEO Sportybet Group


Sudeep Ramnani is the Founder and CEO of SportyBet, a company he established in 2013.


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


In addition to his role at SportyBet, Sudeep is an active investor in fintech and sports betting mobile payments and a strong advocate for the growing African web environment. His investments reflect his commitment to cultivating development and sports betting development within the area.


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


The company is set to interrupt the sports wagering market.



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 growth forecast in the coming years, according to reports from the African Sports Betting Association and PwC, the firm intends to utilize cutting-edge technology and a dedication to accountable gaming to revolutionise the sector.


Backed by the financial power of 4 popular African billionaires, Sunbet, which will release in the very first quarter of 2025, intends to be the continent's biggest and sports betting most innovative sports betting platform.


At a press briefing, the company's spokesperson, Akin Babatunde, stated that the rise in Internet penetration, mobile use, and the continent's deep enthusiasm for sports betting, specifically football, has set the stage for Sunbet's enthusiastic entry. He added that the company's robust sponsorship and specialist team will enable it to scale and control the market rapidly.



Islamic police raid wagering shops in northern Nigeria



Islamic cops in Nigeria's northern city of Kano have actually started closing down sports betting stores, which they say are operating unlawfully.


"As you understand, wagering is prohibited in Islam," Mujahid Aminudeen, sports betting deputy chief of the Sharia police, called the Hisbah, told the BBC.


Complaints from community leaders and moms and dads triggered the crackdown, fretted about the growing number of gambling addicts, he said.


On the very first day of raids, 30 stores were closed in one suburban area alone, and their owners were sent out home with a caution, the Sharia officer stated.


However Mr Aminudeen alerted that now that the general public was aware that the Hisbah was clamping down on gaming, those flouting the rules would be detained.


Kano city is the capital of Kano state, sports betting which has a bulk Muslim population and operates the Islamic legal system - Sharia - together with nonreligious law.


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


Nevertheless, the current crackdown is concentrated on Muslim areas of Kano, a vast city and the economic hub of northern Nigeria.


Sports betting shops can be discovered all over the city. The majority of have tv screens, sports betting and customers enjoy the outcome of international football matches or sports betting horse races on which they have staked money.


Mr Aminudeen said such bookmakers had actually been able to operate under the radar as they had actually opened under false pretences.


"They don't have licences to run as they were allowed to run computer game centres, which they later on transformed to sports betting shops," he stated.


The sports betting wagering market has expanded considerably throughout West Africa in recent years. The region is approximately divided in between a primarily Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south.


Many people go to bookmakers to enjoy the sociability of other bettors, though mobile apps are also popular for sports betting on the result of occasions and teams.


Nigeria's debilitating recession has likewise meant people want to run the risk of a percentage in the hope of winning big.


But this had actually resulted in widespread dependency, and moms and dads were even complaining that children were dropping out of school to bet, Mr Aminudeen stated.


"These economic concerns we are dealing with in Nigeria is God informing us to alter our ways by stopping sins," he stated.


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


"I am recommending those running those wagering stores to either closed down or we'll detain them and take them to [a Sharia] court," Mr Aminudeen said.

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It is unclear what punishment they would face - often, sports betting such infringements carry a fine.


Sharia was introduced in Kano in 2000 - as it remained in 11 other Muslim-majority northern states - and prostitution, gaming and the intake of alcohol were prohibited.

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