Betting company Betking launched their latest casino game known as "JJBallX," tailored around Nigeria's legendary midfielder Austin Jay Jay Okocha, in Lagos on Tuesday.

The game was launched with a press conference to announce its arrival with Okocha and other Betking brand ambassadors like Tobi Bakare and Broda Shaggy in attendance.

The localized casino game gives players the chance to win a cash pool of five million Naira with as little as 50 Naira.

Betking Managing Director Director, Gossy Ukanwoke stated the purpose of the game.

"As part of our CSR project, we launched a mini stadium at Ifako Ijaye in Lagos state. That shows how important football is to us as a company and how important sports is to us as a business," He said.

"No other way to celebrate the legacy of football and sports if we don't have legendary Jay Jay with us to build something virtual, groundbreaking, and has never been done by a sports betting company in Nigeria, which is to localize a casino game on our platform.

"Football is very important to sports and Nigeria as it brings us together. It's a game that is easy to play. As a way to launch this game, we have a five million Naira prize pool to encourage our customers.

"We also have an important event we are preparing for which will also be announced. We hope our customers enjoy this game. The JJBallX is exclusive to BetKing."

The company's head of marketing, Nengi Akinola spoke on the modus operandi of the game.

"It's been nine months of hard work. It feels like I just gave birth to a baby. There has been a lot of work that the team put in. We had extensive sessions to understand the best thing to unlock our customers beyond the game and to understand our football cultures. Who better to do this with rather than to make Okocha a memory beyond what we just watch on television and bring it to every person who is a BetKing customer? It is a no brainer. We localized it, putting the avatar, our legend, Jay Jay Okocha," She started.

"We also localize the sounds so that if you go to the platform, there are three avatars that can be changed to with sound bites that are common to us. Our legend in the game, we say Agba Baller, raise am or gege. This is the peak of the localisation and that is what we did with JJBallX.

"The goal for our casino vertical is to bring out entertainment to everybody irrespective of your skills. You don't need to have a football skill. It's just the same way you play your mobile games like Candy Crush and the others. You can play any games in our casino lobby. That is what we have done with JJBallX.

"To play, all you need to do is to hold on to the play button and make sure you cash out before the ball leaves the legend's leg. It's such an entertaining and engaging game. We trust that every single person that plays the game will enjoy it.

"JJBallX is the newest game on our casino lobby. We enjoin everyone to try it out with positive and no so positive impact so that we can make the product better."

Beyond the game, the company also seems to break a Guinness world record.

"Beyond that is something unique that we are doing. Gossy says we are revealing something to support this project," She added.

"While we launch the game officially on our platform, we are looking to break a Guinness World record in 2025 for the number of people keeping the ball in the air at the same time. We are going to break that record with 2,000 people at a stadium in Lagos, Nigeria. We are launching the biggest game out of Africa.

"The reason for this is to ensure that everyone shares the spotlight on that day apart from just picking up their phones. It is a record-breaking activity that is going to be done with the legend himself. Jay Jay is going to be on the ground and part of that record. The 2,000 people that will be coming will be playing alongside Jay Jay to break a record. 

"This is the high point of launching the game. We want to set the pace. We did that with Danfo Lagos, which we launched in November 2024. This is a bigger step on how casinos should be done in Nigeria."

Okocha was full of appreciation to BetKing for honoring him and keeping his legacy alive. 

"I want to thank Betking for keeping my legacy alive. I am delighted to know that the game is easy to play because everything about me is easy. Thank you for making sure that my legacy is not forgotten even though," He said.

"Many blame me that I smile when I lose the ball but I believe that I can still get the ball. Even though it is a premium game that you can bet with 50 Naira and above, I will advise you to bet responsibly.

"Thank you so much. I will forever remember this day. It has a special place in my heart."

Another brand ambassador of the company, Tobi Bakare echoed Okocha's view while appreciating the initiative.

"This is a wonderful initiative from Betking for our legend. This is going to bring back memories when playing the game, and I feel like there is part of Jay Jay in me.

"It's fun and exciting. A big shout out to BetKing and shout out to Jay Jay. You will continue to love long for us. We will continue to appreciate you for what you have done for our team."

JJBallX is an exciting casino crash game entirely themed on a football game. Players must juggle a ball and decide when it is enough and cash out.