In the realm of Kenyan sports betting, few stories capture the imagination as powerfully as that of Samuel Abisai. In 2017, Abisai made headlines by bagging an astonishing ksh 221 million in the Sportpesa mega jackpot by accurately predicting the outcomes of 17 matches.
One Saturday six years ago, Abisai, then a seasoned gambler, decided to try his luck. That day, he decided to target the jackpot, a whooping ksh 221 million. A few days previously, a lucky gambler had taken home ksh 40 million after correctly predicting 14 matches. This was enough motivation for Abisai.
As was his norm, the gambler did his homework before betting. He studied all the matches, analyzed their histories, and staked ksh 200. According to him, although betting mainly depends on luck, some experience in football is needed to predict matches correctly.
By Sunday afternoon, he had already won 16 out of the 17 predicted games, placing him in the realms of winning at least ksh 40 million. The last match would win him ksh 221 million.
The final match, which was between Arsenal and Tottenham, ended as he had predicted. His wildest dreams had come true; he was a multi-millionaire.
“The moment I received the confirmation message, I knew my life was forever changed, “he said in an interview.
Wise Financial Management:
Raised in a Christian family, Abisai’s first instinct was to express gratitude for his blessings by offering something to the church. Rather than adhering to the customary 10% tithe, he approached his pastor to discuss how he could best assist the church, generously contributing to the youth and Sunday school as well.
Abisai’s father played a significant role in shaping his financial decisions. He advised his son to invest the money and utilize the subsequent profits to help his parents instead of simply giving them a portion of the winnings.
Abisai then embarked on a holiday to Holland to enjoy some time off after his win. He wanted to move to a country where he was not very popular, as the pressure in Kenya was becoming too much.
For instance, numerous “financial companies” kept calling and tempting him with various investment proposals, including shares, bonds, etc. They promised him good returns and that his money would multiply.
However, he wisely decided to let the money stay in an account for one year before he started spending it. After the vacation, he invested the money in various business ventures, including starting a garage with one of his friends. He also embarked on a paint manufacturing business in partnership with Chinese investors.
In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Abisai set up a fashion house in the Netherlands. He also gave talks to university students abroad, enjoying his dream life overseas.
Besides his business endeavors, the father of three is known for his impressive car collection, which includes a white Mercedes Benz, a Lexus RX, and a Toyota Prado, among others.
Reports suggest that he is doing well in his ventures, as he has built a modern house for his parents. However, despite his jackpot-winning experience, Abisai is no longer a gambler. He says the habit was addictive and consumed valuable time that he currently spends on his multiple projects.
He advises youths to gamble responsibly, using only spare money. He also advises them to work hard and not depend on gambling money. They should also have ongoing projects, so they can already know where to invest the money in case they win.
