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GinjaBet has officially entered the Nigerian betting scene, unveiling rapper Emeka Akumefule, widely known as Blaqbonez, as its first brand ambassador.
The announcement took place during a vibrant launch event at the Admiralty Event Centre in Lagos on Saturday (Aug 16) night. Blaqbonez, celebrated for his creativity and strong connection with Nigeria’s youth, is expected to play a key role in GinjaBet’s vision of merging sports, entertainment, and community engagement.
Licensed by the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, the platform promises fast and seamless betting experiences. The launch also coincided with the start of the 2025/2026 European football season, marking a strategic moment for GinjaBet as it aims for immediate impact.
“When we first presented the opportunity to our board members to invest in Nigeria, they were extremely excited, but a bit concerned. This is our first experience on the continent. But we know Lagos, and we know Nigeria is the biggest or one of the biggest markets in Africa,” said Joe Richa, Chief Executive Officer of GinjaBet.
“We have a mission that we have worked on for over nine months, and the mission is to make betting fun, rewarding, and community-driven. I want to encourage everyone to bet responsibly and enjoy the experience.”
‘A Different Kind of Betting’
Richa acknowledged the obstacles of entering the betting market in Africa but emphasized that GinjaBet aims to make a significant impact by focusing on community-driven services. He stated:
“Today is our big statement and promise to Nigerians that we are here to stay. Landing BlaqBonez as our striker completes our squad. We are here to score, to win, and to offer the best entertainment experience for everyone in Nigeria. So I invite you all to responsible betting at Ginjabet.com. ”
George Mbang, the Head of Marketing at GinjaBet, also shared the idea that the company brings a different kind of betting to Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), Bashir Are, was also present at the event and highlighted Lagos as the perfect market for GinjaBet’s operations in Africa.
Are, a trustee of the International Association of Gaming Regulators, promised GinjaBet regulatory support from Lagos State. “There is no city on this planet with the energy Lagos has. You chose the right brand name at the right time. Lagos State has the best betting regulators on the continent. We regulate, protect, and promote responsible betting. Your business is shielded at the local, state, and federal levels,” he stated.
He also discussed the positive impact of gaming taxes in Lagos noting, “Gaming taxes are used to take care of Lagosians. We have built fire stations, renovated schools, and even constructed a secondary school for a community in Ikorodu that had none until 2023.”
Are closed by assuring stakeholders that the LSLGA will ensure GinjaBet promotes responsible betting and includes features to prevent addiction.
Blaqbonez Committed to the Partnership
Blaqbonez expressed excitement at the deal and promised to use his platform to promote the brand and also share betting tips.
“As the GinjaBet ambassador, I have plans to leverage my influence on social media and my grassroots football involvement to connect with fans. I already have this football tournament I play, and I will be bringing more people on board. I see myself as a pundit, so I will be giving people betting tips and advice,” he stated, according to Complete Sport.
Source: GuardianNG
