Betting in Nigeria
Historically, gambling has always been a big pastime in Nigeria. Even though it was socially unacceptable, people have found their way to place sports bets at legal or shady bookies. It eventually took off, and the government had nothing else to do but to regulate the industry in early 2006. It did so at the right time, legalizing sports betting sites online. They’ve taken over the market in just a short time, obtaining licenses from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
The best online betting sites must possess this license to legally exist on the market. That hasn’t been a problem for the large operators. The market was flooded with a lot of online betting sites since the law went live. 1xBet, N1Bet, Parimatch, and 22Bet didn’t waste any time to register. They have licenses to operate in the country and many others, boasting impressive security features and a wide range of sports and markets bettors can put their money on.
Of course, the best betting site in Nigeria must stick to certain rules and regulations the government has enacted. The NLRC oversees all operations, protecting bettors from the operators and helping them find the right choice. What’s important to understand about gambling in Nigeria is that online sports betting websites are legal along with online and land-based casinos. However, chance-based games such as dice and roulette are illegal.
As for sports betting, it’s probably the top form of gambling in the country. There are hundreds of betting sites available right now, and we’ll help you pick the best one.
Regulations in Nigeria
Online betting is legal in Nigeria, but not without some restrictions. All companies must obtain a license and stick to the regulations set for land-based operations. Only players 18 and over can bet online. In order to apply for a license, the operator must pay a fee and is subject to due diligence and other checks after which the NLRC decides if it deserves a license.
The current fee for the licenses is N50,000,000. Illegal betting is Nigeria is subject to a N1,000 fine and up to 2 years of imprisonment. When betting on sports online, it’s best to choose legit betting sites in Nigeria such as the ones we have listed on this page.
Best betting sites – The factors we use
Finding the top sports betting sites in Nigeria is easier said than done. The truth is that the market is highly competitive, with hundreds of betting websites vying for dominance. It’s easy to just pick the first one to come across. However, the grass may be greener on the other side. Here at our site, we conduct deep research before crowning each best betting site in Nigeria. Our team collects a lot of information about it before conducting reviews that eventually help create our top list of betting sites.
Below you can see the most important factors that allow us to determine the best online betting sites in the African country.
- License: the main criteria in our betting sites reviews is the license. As we mentioned earlier, each sportsbook must obtain a license to operate on the Nigerian market. All of our betting websites are properly licensed and safe to play at.
- Security: security is the next factor we check after the license. A top betting site in Nigeria has more than just SSL encryption. It features many important security measures behind the curtain that keep your data safe and sound.
- Markets and live betting: it’s obvious that we also conduct a deep check on the markets. There should be hundreds—if not thousands—spread across the most popular sports around the world. The live betting platform is important too, so we ensure that all of our recommended betting sites have one.
- Odds: odds are important at a betting site. We thoroughly compared odds between the top betting sites, ensuring that we list only those with great odds.
- Bonus offers: bonuses and free bets are a great part of the online sports betting experience in Nigeria. Our recommended online betting sites have top offers, starting with welcome bonuses and loyalty offers that make your experience a whole lot easier.
- Mobile availability: in 2023, it’s important for the best betting sites in Nigeria to be fully mobile-optimized. The best to do it have a native app. If there isn’t one, a mobile optimized website is a must.
- Usability: the best betting sites have a simple user interface that looks and works great on any device. Most betting websites opt for a minimalistic interface optimized for mobile devices.
- Payment methods: the best online betting sites in Nigeria have plenty of Nigeria-friendly payment methods. They range from bank transfers and cards to on the go e-wallet payments.
- Customer service: finally, we also check the customer support of each betting site. 24/7 availability is a must, with email and live chat the most popular options.
Odds Comparison of 1xBet and 22Bet
The odds between the best betting sites in Nigeria are pretty close. Of course, some operators have the edge over others. For example, when you compare 1xBet and 22Bet, two of the top operators in Nigeria, 1xBet has slightly better odds.
Let’s check the upcoming match against Mallorca and Barcelona for example.
- A win for Mallorca is priced 8.1 at 1xBet compared to 7.8 at 22Bet.
- If you choose Barca, the odds at 1xBet are 1.45 vs. 1.4 at 22Bet.
- The draw is priced at 4.935 at 1xBet compared to 4.9 at 22Bet.
You can display the odds in different formats by playing with the settings. The default is decimal, but you can also change them to fractional or American if it suits you better. The odds at other bookies may be better or worse. Nothing’s stopping you from registering at several bookies and comparing odds. Pick the highest odds for the best returns.
How do Nigerian Betting Site Odds Compare to the Rest of the World?
Overall, betting sites in Nigeria are in line with what the bookies offer on the global market. The odds are neither better or worse, so it’s safe to say the top betting sites in the country follow global trends when it comes to the odds.
What makes a betting website good?
Most of the things that make betting sites good were listed among the factors we check when reviewed the top online betting sites in Nigeria. There are several important things that make or break a good betting site. The Nigerian market has plenty of great options, yet a single factor such as the license can be the factor between good and great.
It all starts with the license and security. If you don’t join a licensed betting site, you will eventually suffer the consequences. Personal and financial data theft is not uncommon, and most of this happens at unlicensed and unsafe betting sites.
Another thing that makes betting websites good are the markets and odds. There should be as many markets as possible. The odds need to be at least in line with other sportsbooks. If they’re higher, that’s great. If they’re lower, you need to take a look at other options. While on the subject of markets, make sure your pick has a great live betting platform. Preferably one with live streaming. The best online betting sites will have it all with great odds in tow, so you don’t lose value in the long run.
Make sure your sportsbook of choice has a decent bonus/promo lobby. You should start with a welcome bonus or free bet, then look forward to more of the same later. The best betting site in Nigeria will also have decent bonus terms and not unfair conditions which prevent you from turning your bonus to real money.
As you can see, there are plenty of factors that can make or break a good betting site. Don’t underrate any. When betting on sports online, you want the best of the best, and that’s what you deserve.
Why are bonuses and promotions important?
Bonuses and promotions are a big part of the online sports betting experience. Some bettors believe they’re not important, others value them highly. The truth is that they are very important as you get to bet on sports without reaching too deep in your pocket. The top betting sites in Nigeria know that players love a good bonus, offering all kinds of promotions that appeal to both new and seasoned bettors.
Bonus Types
There are several different bonus types you’ll find at the best betting websites in Nigeria. Free bets are the most common. Unlike their name, they aren’t free. But, you get them without a deposit by fulfilling certain conditions. Free bets are a common welcome offer for new bettors and quite a popular one. They often come right after registration and may or may not be available for specific matches.
If there’s no free bet on upon registration, the top betting sites in Nigeria will have a 100% first deposit bonus offer. It means that you get double the money to start with, but only after signing up and covering the minimum deposit. These offers are only as great as their terms. If the wagering is set too high, completing them would be too hard.
Other types of bonuses at the top online betting sites in Nigeria include loyalty rewards, no deposit offers, and cashbacks. They all come with different bonus terms. It would be best if you take a look at the terms and conditions before you claim a bonus just to see what you’re up against.
How to Find the Best Bonus Offer?
Finding the best bonus offer is not easy. It’s fair to say that not all betting bonuses are great. They are only as great as their terms, including the wagering, min. odds, and the time to complete wagering. Other terms are important too such as the markets you can wager the bonus on. We’ve listed the ones you should initially take a look at before you claim any sports betting bonus.
Wagering
The wagering is displayed with a number that determines the number of times you have to play the bonus (and/or deposit) over. For example, a deposit bonus of $50 or so with 5x wagering should be played 5 times before withdrawal. In this case, you will need to wager a total of $250 before you can claim your winnings.
The lower the wagering, the better. This is one of the first bonus terms you should look at. Bonuses with high wagering are simply not worth it, as you spend more money than you can earn.
Minimum odds
When wagering a sports betting bonus, you will need to bet on minimum odds. Wagering your bonus on odds below or under that won’t count toward the wagering. This is one of those terms that most bettors miss, but they are essentially very important for a bonus to be called good.
Time to complete wagering
You can’t wager a bonus forever. The best betting site will limit the wagering to 30 days or less depending on the bonus size and wagering requirements. A month is enough time to complete the wagering requirements if you’re focused and the bonus isn’t too big. Make sure to check this condition too before you claim any offer.
What’s a fair bonus?
A fair bonus would be an offer that has the three conditions sorted. If it has low wagering requirements with ample time to complete them and it doesn’t have the min. odds set too high, you are most likely looking at a fair bonus. Reading the terms and conditions might be a bit boring, but the devil hides in the details. The fine print makes or breaks a fair from an unfair bonus at the best online betting sites, so you better focus on it before clicking on the Claim button.
Don’t Choose Betting Sites by Bonus Offers
We strive to be transparent when talking about the best online betting sites in Nigeria. For that reason, we must say that you should never choose a betting site judged by its bonus offers. They might be misleading or you might miss some important terms, so it’s best to judge a site by several factors instead of focusing on the bonus offers only.
A site can be good and have bad bonuses, or it might be vice versa. You should pick one that covers all the factors properly including the bonus offers. It’s the only way to ensure you’re playing at a proper betting site.
Betting sites in country
The Nigerian online betting sites market is pretty saturated right now. As soon as the government legalized online sports betting, it didn’t take long for local and international sites to start operations. There’s plenty of competition and that’s a great thing for bettors. The more sportsbooks on the market the better the odds, markets, and promotions.
In the paragraphs below, we’ll present some of the top betting sites in Nigeria at the moment.
A popular site in the field of online sports betting, 22bet’s services are available in Nigeria as well. It has a simple and easy sign up process and some of the best odds in the industry across the board. Many will say it’s the perfect betting site, and they’re not wrong. While betting exchanges may offer a bit better odds on football, for example, 22bet comes pretty close.
More importantly than anything else, it’s a well-known and trusted brand with no sport or betting market missing. The live betting platform has been getting a lot of attention, and rightfully so. Registered players can enjoy a wide range of live stream matches. On top of that, its bonuses and free bets are short of unbeatable, making it one of the best betting websites in the African country.
1xBet started a bit shyly, but it made its way to the top list of betting sites in Nigeria in recent years. That’s because of its ginormous number of sports and betting markets and the decent odds. While it’s only been on the market for a couple of years, it quickly caught up the attention of many Nigerian bettors with its bonuses and markets.
The site focuses on offering the best possible betting experience instead of looking fancy. Some might say it has a functional design rather than being a great one. But, whether you bet from your phone or your computer, 1xBet is among the top sportsbooks you will find. It has an excellent live betting platform with live streams on selected events, and top-of-the-line odds on most of the sports.
With more than 1,000 daily events and a live betting platform, BetWinner is one of the most impactful players on the betting market online in Nigeria. It has everything the modern bettor needs. From football and basketball to politics and Esports, nothing’s missing from this betting site. On top of that, the bonuses are a blast. You start with a cool first deposit offer and can expect plenty more free bets where that came from.
In addition to this, you get special offers at every step of the way for the challenges ahead. The live betting platform has live streaming on selected events. When you also see the cool odds, it becomes clear why many consider it the king of betting websites in the country.
Betway is a major brand around the world. It is on the same level as 1xbet in terms of sponsorships and whatnot. Known for its reliance on amazing bonuses and promotions, it’s one of the most generous online betting sites in Africa.
It’s not just about the offers. Betway has everything else you need in a safe and secure package. Its iconic dark theme suits any device well. With over 15 years in the industry, it knows what bettors want and need. While football betting is in the focus, it has everything else you can imagine, including non-sporting events with amazing odds and betting markets.
Cloudbet is one of the earliest crypto online betting sites. It’s also among the top betting sites in Nigeria right now. You can bet with crypto on over 20 sport, and this sportsbook is particularly fond of Esports. If you’re into it, you’ll find many bets on the top majors and other international tournaments.
Betting at Cloudbet is incredibly simple, and so is registration. The website is easy to navigate and even though there are hundreds of betting options, you’ll find what you’re looking for with ease. Nigeria has quickly grown into one of the key markets for Cloudbet thanks to its popularity, and it’ll surely be a major player for Esports fans in the future.
Melbet may not be among the oldest sports betting sites online, but it’s one of the best in the past few years. It has grown into an internationally recognized juggernaut thanks to thousands of daily events and good odds. It has a very user-friendly setup and looks great on any device. On top of that, you can bet on all the major and minor sports you can think of with both fixed and live betting odds.
The sportsbook has a cool welcome offer for new bettors and plenty more to follow later. It’s one of the favorite online betting sites in Nigeria at the moment, and we’re sure it’ll stay like that for a while.
The best betting markets in Nigeria
The top betting sites in Nigeria offer a variety of sports markets to bet on. Of course, football is the most popular one, but you have many more that Nigerian bettors love to put their money on. Horse racing is a big hit among players, and you can also bet on various American sports. Esports is an emerging market to place bets on, and tennis and basketball see a lot of action during the Grand Slams and NBA playoffs.
- Football: football is the most popular betting market in the world, not just in Nigeria. It’s the highlighted market at most betting websites in the African country. Football matches are the first thing you see when you open a sports betting site, with many highlighted markets and exclusive boosts and odds. Whether it’s 1×2 betting or live betting on football you prefer, 22bet has the best odds and football markets in the industry. It covers all major leagues such as the Premier League and Champions League, as well as the other Big 5 European markets and local African tournaments and competitions.
- Tennis: tennis betting truly blossoms during the Grand Slams. There are four held every year scattered from January to September with dozens of matches and hundreds of markets. In terms of market variety, live betting and live streams, Betway seems to be the best tennis betting marketplace. It has everything a tennis fan would need and plenty of markets to pick from that go beyond the Grand Slams.
- Basketball: basketball is quite a popular betting market in Nigeria. That goes double when the NBA season and later the playoffs begin. 1xbet has the strongest basketball betting experience than any other sportsbook on our list. It has games from the Euroleague and the strongest basketball competitions from around the world, including Africa and Nigeria. If you’re looking for such action, it’s the best place to be.
- American sports: by American sports, we mean primarily the NFL as well as the NHL and MLB. Betting on American football, ice hockey, or baseball is a blast as it shifts from the traditional forms of sports betting online. These American sports are best covered by Betway, where you’ll find top markets to pick from with great odds in tow. It goes without saying that the bookie covers all these markets and many more for a complete overview of American sports betting.
- Esports: Esports gets a separate betting category at Cloudbet, where you can also watch streams of the top Majors matches. It’s the best place for Esports fans and the odds on the hundreds of markets are more than solid as well.
- Horse racing: horse racing is a major sport in Nigeria, and one that bettors are more than happy to bet on. Both 22bet and Betway are great picks when it comes to the best horse races. They offer great odds and market variety and come with specials and free bets for the top horse races that will surely delight fans of the sport.
Which betting sites should I avoid?
We have recommended the best betting site in Nigeria right now, but just like there are good betting sites, there are also some to avoid. Certain trust factors can tell you a lot about where a sportsbook stands. The first thing you should do is check for a valid license. The best betting sites won’t lie about it. Their license number will be proudly displayed on the website.
SSL encryption is also a must. Your browser will tell you if the website is unsafe, so it’s not hard to check that. The top betting sites in Nigeria are licensed and SSL encrypted, so you don’t need to worry about that.
Before choosing a website, it would be best if you take a look at real bettor opinions. Or simply read our guide. We have the top list of betting sites in the industry with top-notch trust factors, so you can be sure that you’ll make the right pick.
10 FAQ – The best Betting Sites in Nigeria
Yes, they are. We can vouch for the betting sites on our list. They’re 100% safe to join, and you won’t make a mistake if you pick one from our list.
Yes, it is. The government has legalized the betting market and opened the floodgates for top sportsbooks to join. It has resulted in a slew of top-rated betting sites that operate internationally and have Nigeria in their sights.
Yes, you will. Most online sports betting sites start with a welcome bonus or a free bet. There are plenty of other bonuses and promotions you can earn including free bets. But, before you claim any bonus, you should read the terms and conditions since you must not miss any of the rules.
A good sports betting bonus will have reasonable terms. This means lower wagering requirements than the usual and will allow you to bet on any sport the sportsbook offers.
Absolutely. Mobile sports betting is the preferred way bettors place bets these days. Most modern online betting sites in Nigeria have native mobile apps you can install on your phone. They also offer web-based apps as alternatives, so you can bet from any device for a hassle-free experience.
It depends on the sportsbook. Some will require an app, others will allow you to bet from mobile websites. In any way, you can bet on the go with ease, and the only requirement is a stable Internet connection.
To recognize a good betting site, you will need to check the trust factors. Those include a proper license, SSL encryption, and fair terms that allow you to bet in a safe and secure environment.
No, they aren’t. While they might all look the same, the difference is in the terms, bonuses, sports, and markets on offer. The odds will differ too, so you’ll do well to do some betting site shopping before you sign up.
Football is one of the major sports you can bet on at Nigerian sportsbooks. You can also bet on basketball, tennis, Esports, horse racing, and dozens of other sports depending on what the bookie offers.
It depends on the site. Most modern live betting platforms will have live streams on selected events. Check with your online betting site of choice to learn if it offers live streaming.
5 Tips
When betting on sports online, you should follow some expert tips and recommendations if you want the best experience. While it looks innocent, betting online can be a big problem if you’re not careful. The top betting sites in Nigeria know this very well. To protect bettors, they offer helpful advice via their responsible gambling programs. Besides guidelines on how to bet responsibly, these programs also offer many tools that you can use to cut access to the sites before your habit turns to a problem.
In the paragraphs below, we’ll share a few tips so it doesn’t come to that.
- Manage your bankroll: if you want to bet on sports successfully, you must manage your bankroll. This is the nr. 1 rule when it comes to online gambling. It will keep money in your pocket instead of out. Gambling responsibly means betting with a daily or weekly limit that should be low. If and whenever you go over it, you should leave and try again the next day or next week.
- Choose trusted betting sites: if you want to bet properly, you need to do it at trusted betting sites. The best online sports betting sites in Nigeria are trusted and safe to join. Make sure your sportsbooks of choice has a proper license and read a few real bettor comments – its reputation is important as well.
- Shop for odds: with so many betting sites on offer, you need to shop for odds. It’s mandatory as not all sportsbooks are the same and neither are their markets and odds. No one’s stopping you from having several accounts at different online sportsbooks in Nigeria. You’re welcome to join several and see what each one offers including the odds before setting roots.
- Never chase your losses: this is another important rule for betting online. If you constantly chase your losses, you will only lose a lot of money with no profits in sight. Losing ruts often have no end if you don’t know where to start, so you better avoid chasing your losses.
- Treat it like a hobby: treat online betting like a lobby instead of a steady income. It should be fun before anything else, so never think of it as a job. Instead, indulge in it when you have the time, and in the meantime, focus on other things in life.
Sum up of the betting site comparison
The Nigerian online sports betting market has grown into one of the largest in Africa. The youth especially likes to bet on sports on the web, and the market has grown significantly with major betting sites joining it. Some of the top sportsbooks in the industry are now available in the country, and they come packed with amazing betting content. It’s not just football and a few other sports anymore. You can bet on virtually any sport you can think of, and emerging new markets such as Esports are just the beginning.
If you’re looking for top-rated betting sites in Nigeria, you’re at the right place. Our guide has covered everything from legal matters to odds, so give it a read and find the sportsbook you were looking for.
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Bet9ja Strengthen
- Over 100 betting markets
- In-play betting and live-streaming
- Amazing mobile betting app
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22bet Strengthen
- Live betting and live statistics
- Over 100 betting markets on big events
- eSports betting
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1xBet Strengthen
- A large number of betting markets
- Betting with cryptocurrencies
- In-play betting and live-streaming
