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BetKing Launches ‘JJBallX’ Casino Game in Honour of Jay Jay Okocha
By Seun Oyediji
Leading sports betting brand, BetKing, has unveiled a brand-new casino game—JJBallX—in honour of Nigerian football icon, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.
The innovative game, which blends football excitement with immersive casino gameplay, was officially launched at a media event held in Lagos on Tuesday.
The launch, attended by Okocha himself, along with BetKing brand ambassadors Tobi Bakare and Broda Shaggi, marks a significant milestone in localized digital gaming in Nigeria.
JJBallX, inspired by the flair and creativity of Okocha, offers players a chance to win from a prize pool of ₦5 million with entries starting from just ₦50.
Speaking at the launch, BetKing Managing Director, Gossy Ukanwoke, highlighted the company’s commitment to celebrating football’s impact on Nigerian culture.
“As part of our CSR efforts, we recently built a mini stadium in Ifako Ijaye, Lagos, underscoring how integral football is to our business,” he said.
“There’s no better way to honour the legacy of Nigerian football than partnering with a legend like Jay Jay Okocha to create something groundbreaking—a localized casino game that’s the first of its kind in Nigeria.”
He added that JJBallX is exclusive to the BetKing platform and is designed to be simple, exciting, and engaging for all users.
Nengi Akinola, Head of Marketing at BetKing, provided insight into the development process, describing the project as a labour of love spanning nine months.
“We poured months of creativity and research into building a product that reflects our football culture. From local soundbites to animated avatars of Okocha himself, JJBallX is a celebration of who we are,” she said.
“It’s easy to play, fun, and immersive—perfect for both casual gamers and football fans.”
Players control the game by holding down a play button and releasing it before the ball leaves Okocha’s foot, making it a test of timing and intuition. The game includes uniquely Nigerian phrases like “Agba Baller” and “Raise am”, making it resonate deeply with local audiences.
In a bold next step, BetKing also announced its plan to attempt a Guinness World Record in 2025 for the largest number of people juggling a football simultaneously—targeting 2,000 participants in Lagos, with Okocha himself leading the effort.
“This isn’t just about launching a game,” Akinola noted. “It’s about creating history. We want to bring people together through football and celebrate African innovation on the global stage.”
For Jay Jay Okocha, the experience was both humbling and heartwarming.
“I’m grateful to BetKing for keeping my legacy alive in such a creative way,” he said. “This game truly reflects my style—fun, easygoing, and full of flair. I urge everyone to enjoy it, but remember to play responsibly.”
Tobi Bakare, one of BetKing’s ambassadors, also expressed his excitement:
“It’s a brilliant initiative. Playing JJBallX brings back memories, and I feel like there’s a little bit of Jay Jay in all of us when we play.”
JJBallX is now live exclusively on the BetKing Casino Lobby, where users can experience the thrill of football in a dynamic crash-style game format.
With its unique blend of sport, culture, and entertainment, JJBallX is poised to become a fan favourite across Nigeria.
