There are so many sports events happening around the clock yearly and some Nigerian celebrities have been at the forefront of the sporting bet world such as 10bet – where we have the iconic Afrobeats superstar, Davido, being an ambassadors and ex-Nigerian football team (Super Eagles) player, Okocha, being ambassador. So, it’s no news that in recent years some popular Nigerian figures have openly showcased their sports bets along with tips and their wins.
Over time the popularity of online sports betting in Nigeria is exploding, fueled by a combination of factors. Nigeria’s massive, sports-crazed population provides fertile ground for the online betting industry to flourish – and maybe this is why more musicians have been hopping on this trend. Forget the red carpets, celebrities love the thrill of a good bet just like us. With the chance for massive payouts, it’s no wonder many A-listers are diving headfirst into the world of sports betting. This article takes you inside the sports these stars play, revealing some of the most high-profile musicians who love to stake a bet and their wins.
Nigerian Celebrities and Celebrating Bet Wins
Notably, in 2021, after Chelsea FC defeated Spanish giants Real Madrid and advanced to the UEFA finals, where they triumphed over Manchester City, Nigerian musician Peter Okoye, who is part of the musical duo P-Square, celebrated a $100,000 win which might be one of the biggest wins from a Nigerian celebrity so far. Another remarkable sports bet win we have noted with another Nigerian musician with his surprising feat is Nigerian Afrobeats star Naira Marley who struck gold with some smart bets on the 2022 World Cup final. He placed two wagers: a £100 bet builder that paid out a whopping £1775.97. This bet correctly predicted Argentina winning, Messi scoring, and the game exceeding 2.5 total goals. He also placed a £50 bet on Messi and Mbappe scoring in extra time, which came true and returned a cool £1637.44. Marley then cleverly split this winning ticket into two separate bets of £50 each, both of which won, bringing him an additional £225 and £250.
Another celebrity actively playing sports bets is Nigerian musician Kcee who put his money where his mouth is during the Africa Cup of Nations. Taking to Instagram, Kcee revealed he wagered N3 million on the Super Eagles to beat Ivory Coast in their second Group A match. His faith in the team paid off, netting him a cool N11.7 million windfall! Kcee even shared a message of support, urging the Eagles to “soar high! While his brother Kcee celebrated Nigeria’s victory, popular social media personality E-Money (Emeka Okonkwo) faced a different outcome. Known for his love of sports betting, E-Money frequently shares his picks with his massive 13 million+ following on Instagram. Unfortunately, E-Money missed out on a potential N12.3 million win. He placed a 3 million naira bet on Nigeria scoring more than one goal (over 1.5) against Côte d’Ivoire. The match ended with Nigeria only managing a single goal. After posting his bet, many fans mirrored his wager, adjusting the amount to fit their own budgets. Following the match, there was a wave of disappointment from his followers who had placed similar bets. However, some fans expressed continued faith in E-Money’s prediction skills, offering words of encouragement.
Afrobeats Superstar Odumodublvck is all In with his bet Picks
Another musician we can note who has been quite loud about his sports betting activities is Afrobeats star Odumodublvck who has been on a football betting spree where he seems to stake high and make sufficient wins on most days. The Nigerian rapper, Odumdublvck, was been particularly open about his bets during the 2023 Afcon Nations Cup where he supported the Super Eagles during the trophy charge as he kept showing off wins alongside his amazing tips. Notably, Odumodublvck is known to be an open supporter of FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC in the recently concluded 2023/2024 season. He also showed his interest in Declan Rice of Arsenal and Vinicius of Real Madrid. With Odumodublvck fondly making his betting tips and wins through popular social media platform, X formerly called Twitter, it’s really hard to miss.
Oh well, Odumodublvck has shown to be a consistent sports betting guy or maybe this is due to his profound love for football that pushes him and with 10bet South Africa he wins. Even during this time, he was found to have encouraged some other musicians such as Peruzzi to play some bets with his notorious tips.
We shouldn’t end this list without including the renowned Canadian musician, Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham, who has made a name for himself not just in music but also in the world of sports betting. Known for his penchant for high-stakes wagers, Drake has become almost as famous for his betting wins and losses as he is for his chart-topping hits. Drake’s involvement in sports betting reflects his personality – bold, confident, and willing to take risks. His bets often make headlines due to their substantial size and the high-profile nature of the events. He’s not shy about putting large sums of money on the line, whether it’s on basketball, football, or other sports. One of Drake’s most notable betting victories came with Super Bowl LVIII, where he bet on the Kansas City Chiefs to win. His confidence paid off handsomely, as the Chiefs clinched the title, earning Drake a staggering $2.34 million. This win is one of the highlights of his betting career, showcasing his ability to make successful high-stakes wagers.
However, betting is a high-risk game, and Drake has experienced his share of losses. His high-profile status means that both his wins and losses are often publicized. For instance, there have been occasions where his bets did not pay off, resulting in significant losses. Yet, these losses haven’t deterred him from continuing to bet on sports, demonstrating his resilience and passion for the thrill of gambling.
Nigeria’s booming sports betting industry has discovered a winning formula
Notably, Nigeria’s booming sports betting industry has discovered a winning formula: music. Studies show that campaigns featuring popular music can skyrocket brand recognition by 30%. Seeing a familiar artist in a betting ad makes people more likely to engage with the platform. This powerful connection between music, customers, and brands is driving the success of music-infused marketing campaigns in the Nigerian sports betting market especially when these musicians are actively playing the bets too.
The rise of sports betting, a sector estimated at $2 billion in 2020 with over 60 million participants, has amplified the influence of celebrities who promote it. This influence, however, presents a double-edged sword. Recognizing this, regulators and betting operators are working together to promote responsible gambling practices. This includes both online and offline platforms, with a particular focus on curbing underage gambling. Young people are especially susceptible to celebrity endorsements, given their direct access to the content shared online.
