In an industry often defined by “deposit first, regret later,” a Nigerian startup is rewriting the playbook. 

Select Punters Limited is building an iGaming ecosystem that blends innovation with humanity — from risk-free PaperBetting, to a funding program for talented bettors, and BanterPlay, a fan-to-fan rivalry experience.

At the center of this bold vision is Aso Obinna, Cofounder and CEO, who knows firsthand both the thrill and the dangers of betting. His story begins, like many others, with a single lucky win.

From Lucky Win to Life Lesson

In 2016, Obinna stumbled into betting through an online community. His first slip — copied from a popular punter — won big. 

It was the kind of beginner’s luck that felt like destiny. His close friend, encouraged by the win, soon joined him.

But while Obinna could step back, his friend fell deeper. Wins turned to losses, and the harmless fun became a destructive cycle of debt and compulsion. Years later, Obinna realized the extent of his friend’s struggle:

“It hurt because I knew my first win had pulled him into this. I felt guilty. I had to find a way to help him.”

The Paper Betting Breakthrough

The solution came in an unusual form: paper betting. Instead of staking real money, Obinna’s friend would simply send him predictions. If they won, Obinna promised to pay out.

Over six months, his friend sent more than 400 slips — not a single one won. 

To drive the message home, Obinna gifted him the money he would have lost.

The experience was transformative. For the first time, his friend could enjoy predicting matches without the crushing financial risk.

That experiment laid the foundation for Select Punters’ PaperBetting — a tool that now serves two purposes:

  • Risk-free onboarding for new bettors who want to learn before depositing.
  • Harm reduction for problem gamblers who still want to enjoy the thrill without financial risk.

Spotting Talent, Supplying Capital

As PaperBetting grew, Select Punters noticed another trend: some players consistently made accurate predictions. The challenge? They lacked the capital to stake meaningfully.

So the company tried something new — funding promising bettors directly. With proper bankroll management and structure, the results were clear: these bettors could generate steady profits.

This led to the creation of The Funding Plan, a structured program where:

  1. Bettors apply and go through evaluation.
  2. The best receive up to ₦5,000,000 in funded capital.
  3. Profits are split 70/30 in favor of the bettor.
  4. The company carries all the risk — losses never fall on the bettor.

In Obinna’s words:

“We are building the iGaming equivalent of a talent academy. Prove your skill in simulation, follow the rules, and we’ll supply the capital.”

BanterPlay: Betting as Rivalry, Not Isolation

Beyond PaperBetting and funding, Select Punters introduced BanterPlay, a social platform where fans compete head-to-head instead of playing against the house.

Here, users can challenge friends, host community events, and enjoy football banter fueled by small stakes. Early pilots received overwhelming praise, with players calling it a “refreshing” and more social way to enjoy sports predictions.

Putting the Market in Perspective

Select Punters’ innovation comes at just the right time — the Nigerian iGaming market is growing fast, and the demand is huge. Some key stats:

  • Over 65 million Nigerians are currently active in betting, spending on average US$15 daily. (Vanguard News)
  • Every day, there are 14 million bet takes and online payments related to betting in Nigeria. (Vanguard News)
  • The market is expected to grow at nearly 10% annually, projected to reach more than US$366 million by 2027. (Vanguard News)
  • In 2025, the overall Gambling market in Nigeria is projected to reach US$3.10 billion, with steady growth through 2029. (Statista)

These numbers underscore both the opportunity and the risks: many Nigerians are engaged, spending real money daily, and the market is only getting bigger. That makes innovation like Select Punters’ especially relevant.

A Different iGaming Blueprint

Select Punters isn’t just another betting company — it’s shaping a new vision for iGaming in Africa. One that prioritizes safety, skill, and community over blind risk.

The company’s blueprint is simple but revolutionary:

  • PaperBetting to onboard risk-free.
  • Funding Plan to back proven talent.
  • BanterPlay to make prediction social again.

For Obinna and his team, the mission is clear:

“We are not asking people to love football less. We are asking them to experience it smarter — and to keep the fun where it belongs.”