You have most likely or definitely heard of the name ‘Bet9ja’
The name would not be new to those who are much involved in the world of sports. However, many do not know the owner of this much successful online sports betting site. Well, if you are one who has been asking for the owner or who is interested in finding out, then this post is for you. This article provides information on the owner of Bet9ja, his biography, activities, net worth, businesses, and private life. Find out more as you read on:
Kunle Soname: Biography, Career & Other Stuff
Biography
Kunle Soname is the founder of Bet9ja. He is a Nigerian Philanthropist, politician, sports enthusiast, and business mogul. He is chairman of Bet9ja, an online gaming website. He is also the former executive chairman of the Ikosi-Isheri Local council in Lagos state.
He is from Remo in Ogun State, Nigeria. He is also referred to as a Philanthropist based on the things he has done in his home town. Kunle Soname was also the main figure in politics, he was into politics and was elected as the Executive Chairman of Ikosi-isheri Local Council, Lagos State between October 2003 – October 2011.
Education
Kunle Soname attended the Federal Government College, Lagos state and graduated from the Lagos State University (LASU)
Personal Life
Although there is very little information about Kunle Soname’s private life but news has it that the business mogul is married to Kemi Soname and they are both blessed with a daughter, Erioluwa Soname, this was found out once when Kemi Soname took her Facebook page and shared their wedding anniversary together as a couple.
Kunle Soname- Business Interests
Kunle Soname is the founder of Bet9ja with headquarters located in Lagos State, Nigeria.
The business name is with the trade name “KC Gaming Networks Limited” The lottery website is licensed under the Lagos State Lotteries Board.
Bet9ja was able to break into the market and make waves when it introduced offline playing which invariably turned out to be a reliable source of employment for Nigerian youths.
Other improvements of Bet9ja on their betting platform include 100% reward for customers as stake bonus when newly registered, increase in the number of potential wins for those who bet to 40 Million naira, the highest so far in Nigeria and the recent addition which is Cash-Out option
The ambassador of the Betnaija brand is an ex super Eagles star player, Victor Ikpeba.
Activities of Bet9ja
Bet9ja is one of the major online bookmaker companies that offer to bet on major sporting events operating in Nigeria. The business is run by a series of shareholders of multiple nationalities and traded under KC Gaming Networks Limited. The website of the company is licensed by the Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB) and is permitted to operate in other parts of Nigeria.
As of September 2018, according to Alexa.com, Bet9ja is the second most visited website in Nigeria and second only to Google
Bet9ja was co-founded by Ayo Ojuroye who is the company’s CEO and Kunle Soname is the company’s chairman.
On the 10th of September 2013, Bet9ja signed a shirt sponsorship deal with Remo Stars F.C., this was during the official unveiling of Bet9ja.
In June 2015, Bet9ja became the official sponsor of the Nigeria Women’s Football League after a memorandum was signed between the two parties.
In 2017, Bet9ja signed a sponsorship agreement worth 200 million with the Nigeria National League, Nigeria’s penultimate men’s football league. In March 2019 in Abuja, the Nigeria National League (NNL) announced the loss of Bet9ja as its title sponsor, this was two years after the sponsorship deal was first signed.
Bet9ja partnered with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the organization of the maiden edition of the National Anti-corruption marathon in December 2018.
Controversies
In 2019, Bet9ja was announced as headline sponsor of the fourth season of Big Brother Naija. This move shocked many as they wondered what could have made the sports enthusiast undertake the sponsorship of the popular TV reality show, Big brother Naija. People were more shocked when it was revealed that Kunle Soname had set aside up to $3 million dollars for the production of the show which is viewed by many tens of millions across Africa
Although some have expressed doubts about the business mogul getting value in return for his money, some others who are close to him expressed that the business tycoon could not care less.
Some have said that the move was to set his business, Bet9ja on a continental scale which would mean increase for him. While some others have said that Kunle Soname invested such huge amounts because he shared in the love his wife has for the adult reality TV show
However, getting his value back should not be so difficult when one considers the lucrative partnership that goes on between show businesses and sports betting here in Nigeria
Other businesses of Kunle Soname
In 2016, Kunle Soname became the first Nigerian national to own a European club and joined the new phenomenon of Billionaire club owners in Europe when he acquired 70 percent of a second division Portuguese football club side called Clube Desportivo Feirense. He acquired the club through his company called Tavisstock Global Resource Ltd. Kunle Soname owns up to 70% of the club’s current shares.
He owns Reno Star FC, a Nigerian National league team based in Ogun State, Nigeria
It is reported that the business mogul is set to launch his airline, Value Jet in September 2019 and is also committing huge amounts into the first 50km Remo Ultra Marathon race set to hold in December as the major sponsor.
Mr. Kunle Soname is definitely one of the silent billionaires in Nigeria who has contributed immensely to the promotion of Nigeria brands.
Kunle Soname’s Networth
Kunle Soname owns nearly a 100% stake in KC Gaming Networks Limited, the company that owns Bet9ja. Kunle Soname’s net worth is calculated at around $100million.
Kunle Soname is definitely one of the most influential people in the Nigerian sports business world/ industry