Nigeria's Afrobeats king just made one of the biggest partnership switches in African entertainment, and it's got everyone talking about the future of celebrity betting deals.
When Davido posted a video in May 2025 rocking a Stake-branded jersey, millions of his fans had the same question: "What happened to 1xBet?"
For four solid years, the "Timeless" crooner had been the face of 1xBet Nigeria. His 1xbet promo code was everywhere: on Instagram stories, Twitter promos, and even on billboards across Lagos. The partnership seemed rock solid. So what changed?
From Lagos to Global: The 1xBet Years
Rewind to May 2021. At a glamorous unveiling ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel Lagos, 1xBet announced Davido as their Nigerian brand ambassador. It was a power move pairing Africa's hottest music export with one of the world's biggest betting platforms.
The deal made perfect sense. Davido has never hidden his love for sports and betting. Back in 2015, reports surfaced that he dropped a cool $20,000 bet on a Floyd Mayweather fight in Vegas (he won, by the way). Videos of him at casino roulette tables occasionally pop up online. The man loves the game.
For 1xBet Nigeria, landing Davido was like hitting the jackpot. Suddenly, every Nigerian youth checking football odds knew about their platform. His "DAVBOOST" promo code offers fans up to 300% bonuses on first deposits.
By 2024, the partnership was still going strong. Davido proudly told fans he'd been with 1xBet for three years and encouraged them to keep using his code to "keep winning together."
Then everything changed.
Enter Stake: The Drake Connection
In May 2025, Davido dropped the bombshell on Instagram: he was now Stake's Global Ambassador. Not regional. Not just for Nigeria. Global.
This wasn't a sideways move. This was an upgrade.
Stake isn't your typical betting platform. Founded in 2017, it's a crypto-focused casino and sportsbook that's been making waves internationally. Their most famous ambassador? Canadian rapper Drake, who reportedly pockets around $100 million annually from the deal, regularly streams his high-stakes bets to millions of viewers on Twitch.
By joining Stake, Davido placed himself in elite company — alongside Drake, UFC champions, and major European football clubs. For an artist who's been pushing Afrobeats onto the global stage, this alignment with a truly international brand makes perfect strategic sense.
Why the Switch? Follow the Money (and the Vision)
While neither Davido nor Stake has disclosed exact figures, industry insiders suggest several factors drove the move:
The Global Factor: Stake operates in over 200 countries. For Davido — who's been nominated for Grammys, sold out international tours, and collaborated with American artists — a global platform fits his expanding brand better than a regional deal.
The Crypto Angle: Nigeria is one of Africa's biggest cryptocurrency markets. Stake's crypto-first approach positions Davido at the intersection of entertainment and fintech innovation — something he's shown interest in through other business ventures.
The Financial Upgrade: Let's be real — following Drake's footsteps likely came with a significantly sweeter deal than his 1xBet contract. When you're operating at Davido's level, these partnerships are about maximizing value.
The Drake Blueprint: Drake's Stake partnership proved that musicians can command massive betting endorsement deals previously reserved for footballers. Davido is essentially bringing that playbook to Afrobeats.
What Happened to 1xBet Nigeria?
Don't think 1xBet disappeared when Davido walked out the door. They simply changed strategy.
Instead of another music megastar, they pivoted to Suo Chapele — Nigeria's first female sports commentator in Pidgin. It's a brilliant move, actually. While Davido gave them celebrity shine, Suo represents grassroots football culture, women's empowerment in sports, and authentic Nigerian sports commentary.
1xBet also brought on sports blogger Bi Benard and actor FROD as ambassadors. The message is clear: they're going deeper into Nigerian sports culture rather than chasing another celebrity name.
And their platform? Still going strong. 1xBet Nigeria still offers extensive sports betting markets, casino games, and attractive bonuses. The 1xBet promo code options remain competitive for new users looking to get started with online betting.
The Bigger Picture: Betting on Celebrity Power
Davido's move highlights how massive the African betting market has become. We're talking about a ₦700 billion industry in Nigeria alone by 2027. International betting companies are fighting hard for market share across West and Central Africa, and celebrity ambassadors are their secret weapon.
The competition extends beyond Nigeria's borders. From the best betting sites in Cameroon to South Africa's competitive market, platforms are deploying similar celebrity-driven strategies across the continent.
Think about it:
Samuel Eto'o represented 1xBet Cameroon
Didier Drogba is the face of Premier Bet
Djibril Cissé backs Linebet
Multiple Nigerian entertainers have deals with various platforms
The competition is fierce, and the money is serious.
What This Means for Fans
For Davido's millions of fans, the partnership switch creates an interesting choice:
Some will follow him to Stake, curious about the crypto casino experience and wanting to bet on the same platform as their favorite artist.
Others will stick with 1xBet, comfortable with the platform they already know, the naira-based betting they're used to, and the local payment options that work seamlessly in Nigeria.
Smart bettors? They might explore both. After all, different platforms offer different odds, bonuses, and features. There's no rule saying you can't shop around.
The Celebrity Endorsement Playbook
Here's what Davido's move teaches us about modern celebrity endorsements in Africa:
1. Global beats regional: As African artists gain international recognition, they'll increasingly partner with global brands rather than regional ones.
2. Crypto is the future: The next wave of betting and gaming platforms will be crypto-integrated, and celebrities want to be ahead of that curve.
3. Athletes aren't the only game: Musicians, especially those with massive youth followings, are proving equally valuable to betting brands.
4. Loyalty has a price: Even long-term partnerships can shift when the right offer comes along.
The Bottom Line
Davido's switch from 1xBet to Stake isn't a drama story; it's a business evolution. The artist who gave us "Fall," "If," and "Unavailable" is simply following his career trajectory from regional African star to global icon, and his endorsement deals are following the same path.
For Nigerian bettors, it's actually good news. More competition between platforms means better bonuses, improved features, and more options to choose from. Whether you're checking out 1xBet's current offerings with their competitive promo codes, exploring Stake's crypto-forward approach, or trying other platforms entirely, you've got more quality choices than ever before.
Just remember — whether Davido endorses it or not, bet responsibly. Start small, understand the odds, and never wager more than you can afford to lose.
After all, OBO didn't become a superstar by making reckless decisions. Neither should you.
