Bolabet

History and Founding

Bolabet Group traces its roots to 2005, when it began operating as a retail betting operator in Lusaka, Zambia. Over nearly two decades, it has grown into one of the region’s most recognised betting brands, with a dual presence in physical betting shops and online/mobile platforms. The company was co-founded by Novka Salipur, who remains involved as a strategic stakeholder. Bolabet is privately held and does not publicly disclose financial figures, but its sustained expansion across three countries and ongoing sponsorship commitments suggest robust operational scale.

Business Model and Products

Bolabet’s core offering is sports betting, covering pre-match and live markets across football, basketball, tennis, hockey, volleyball, horse racing, and other sports. The company also provides a full online casino with slots, table games, and virtual sports simulations. A notable recent innovation is ChatBet AI, a WhatsApp-based betting platform that allows users to place bets, check odds, and manage accounts through natural language conversations, targeting the high mobile penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bolabet’s product ecosystem includes an affiliate program, a dedicated Android app, USSD betting functionality, and a loyalty promotions schedule. The company also maintains a network of retail betting shops in each of its operating countries.

Market Position and Competition

Bolabet operates in the competitive Southern African betting market, where it competes with other major operators such as Betway, Hollywoodbets, and local players. The company’s dual retail and digital strategy, combined with its focus on mobile-first products like ChatBet AI, positions it to capture a growing share of the online betting market. The company has aggressively pursued brand visibility through sports sponsorship, including a deal with Zimbabwe’s Dynamos FC reported to be worth US$60,000 per year for a signing-on fee in 2026.

Regulation and Licensing

Bolabet holds regulated licenses in each of its operating countries. In Zimbabwe, it is licensed by the Lotteries & Gaming Board. In Zambia, it is licensed by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Tourism. The company also operates in Malawi under applicable local regulations. The platform operates under strict responsible gambling policies, with mandatory age verification (18+) and tools for self-exclusion and deposit limits.

Leadership

Group Chief Executive Officer Hilton Hasson is a veteran with over 33 years in African iGaming, formerly of Betway and Hollywoodbets. Chief Financial Officer Ray Kumwenda oversees financial strategy. Group Chief Revenue Officer Sanka Ngulube directs revenue generation and commercial partnerships. Co-Founder Novka Salipur remains involved as a strategic stakeholder. No information for a separate COO or CTO was found in public sources.