Online sports betting is one of the biggest pastimes in Nigeria. That’s why the number of new betting sites is on the rise. There’s a new sportsbook hitting the market every week, and luckily, due to the legal conditions, most of them are legit.
Online Betting in Nigeria
Online betting is one of the favorite pastimes of the Nigerian youth. But, it wasn’t always like that. Following in the footsteps of many other African countries, online sports betting was illegal in Nigeria in the past. But, that wasn’t a problem for most. They always found illegal ways to bet. Due to the popularity of sports betting, the government decided to regulate the emerging online sports betting industry.
This happened in 2006, and since then, online sports betting in the African country truly took off. The government has legalized all skill-based games including sports betting, while roulette and chance-based games are illegal.
The regulated market is under the watchful eye of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. It’s responsible for using licenses to new betting sites, and regulates their services as well. It’s safe to say that Nigeria has some of the loosest online betting laws in Africa. As long as a new betting site applies for a license and adheres to the rules, it’s free to offer its services to Nigerian players.
Due to high demand, some of the best new sportsbooks are live in Nigeria. Bettors are protected by the NLRC. It offers help to anyone who has a legit dispute, and writes strict rules for the operators who must adhere to them all. Due to the nearly endless opportunities, online betting is one of the top betting forms in the country.
Online Sports Betting Regulations in Nigeria – Is Betting Online Legal?
There are certain restrictions in place when it comes to online sports betting in Nigeria. As mentioned earlier, operators must possess a license to exist on the market. All operators without a license are banned and expelled. Licenses don’t come for free. They cost a one-time fee of N50,000,000. Illegal betting is a punishable offense with fines up to N1,000 and up to 2 years of imprisonment.
That’s why it’s always best to choose legal new betting sites on the Nigerian market. Illegal betting is not worth it, no matter how good the odds look. It opens up the door to identity and financial data theft, so you may lose more than just your money. The good news is that you don’t need to look for the best and latest betting sites in the country. We have them right here on this page for your convenience, so you can just make your pick and enjoy.
How do we Choose the Latest Betting Sites in Nigeria?
By now, many bettors reading our guide are asking why they should trust us. That’s a legit question. With such an influx of new sportsbooks on the Nigerian online sports betting market, it’s not easy to make a choice. We have made a list of the freshest betting sites in 2024, and that comes after an extensive review of their services.
Our team does all the hard work, taking a look at numerous factors before listing a new betting site on our list. You can see how the process goes below and see why our opinions and reviews can be trusted.
The first thing we check when listing the latest betting sites in Nigeria is the license. If the sportsbook doesn’t have any, it doesn’t belong on our list – it’s that simple. All the best new betting sites online in Nigeria on this list are licensed and legal, so you don’t need to worry about any legal matters.
The security is a major point of importance for the best new bookies online on our list. We always check what the betting site does to keep players’ data in check. Every new betting site needs to have at least SSL encryption with a valid certificate. We also check real bettor opinions on the web to check the site’s reputation and see if their opinions align with ours.
The best new sportsbooks on the web in Nigeria must have a variety of markets. It’s not just enough to cover football and horse betting anymore. In 2024, it’s vital for a bookie to have dozens of available sports and hundreds of fixed odds and live betting markets. The more, the merrier, and it’s even better when new betting sites have emerging markets online such as Esports. The odds are important too. The market is highly competitive, so you should shop for odds and pick the best ones.
Bonuses and promotions play a major role in our decision to feature a new betting site on our list. The best sportsbooks should have a welcome bonus as well as other promotions and free bets with fair terms. Make sure not to forget checking the promo section.
It’s 2024, and every new betting site should have a user-friendly layout and design. Most sportsbooks on our list stick to this, offering a mobile-friendly design and sharp visuals that are easy on the eye.
The best new betting sites in Nigeria have dozens of payment methods native to Africa and especially Nigeria. Make sure your choice has a good variety of options too, especially e-wallets and possibly crypto payments.
Last, but not least, we also pay attention to the customer support of each new betting site. It goes without saying that it should be live 24/7 and available across several channels.
Comparison of odds using the example of Betano and N1
Betano and N1 are among the most popular new betting sites in Nigeria. They’ve conquered the market with great markets and odds, especially when it comes to football and horse racing. Their odds are close enough as the market is highly competitive, but still, you’ll find better odds at one site over the other on some matches.
For example, let’s take the upcoming Premier League derby between Manchester City and Arsenal. It’s clear that reigning champions Manchester City are the favorite. The Citizens have had an impressive start to the season, despite the fact that Arsenal’s been pretty solid so far.
- At Betano, City’s odds to win are 2.40. Those odds are pretty great considering that City’s the favorite and playing away. Arsenal’s odds to win the match at Betano are 2.92, while the tie’s priced at 3.45.
- In the same market, N1’s Manchester City odds are identical at 2.40. Arsenal’s chances to win are a bit shorter at 2.80. The draw is priced @ 3.31.
As you can see, Betano’s odds are slightly better in this comparison than N1. You’ll find better odds on soccer at this site regularly, including on other major competitions including the Champions League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga. Of course, that doesn’t make N1 a bad new betting site. If you check other markets such as live betting or other sports such as horse racing, the odds might be slightly better there.
The grass is not always greener on the other side when it comes to the latest betting sites in Nigeria. But, the good thing is that you have plenty of options on the market. Shopping for odds is a crucial factor in finding the best new betting sites in Nigeria. You shouldn’t join and bet at the first site you come across. Instead, shop for odds in specific markets, open up accounts at different sportsbooks, and bet on the most valuable odds.
Summing Up
In general, most new betting sites in Nigeria have close odds. That’s because the market is highly competitive, so no one can afford a big difference in odds. You might get specific odds boosts and specials on selected markets and matches. There’s nothing wrong in trying out different bookies and shopping for odds when it comes to football, tennis, horse racing, or any other sport you might want to bet on.
In fact, we highly recommend it. You can easily create accounts at several new betting sites in Nigeria in 2024. Use one for soccer, another one for Esports, and others for other sports by comparing the odds and finding the best value for each market.
What makes a betting website good?
There are plenty of factors that make a betting site good or bad. Obviously, the markets and odds are among the most important ones. You need the odds to be of at least decent value in order to sign up at a sportsbook online. Then there’s the license, of course, and the security measures a gambling site has in order to keep the data of bettors safe and sound. The design and layout are important too, as the user experience can suffer from a cluttered system.
Another important thing are the bonuses and promotions. Everyone wants a bit of a reward when they join a betting site and later as a loyal player. All betting sites in Nigeria make a strong case for their bonuses and promotions. The market is vast and has plenty of sportsbooks to choose from. They compete with bonuses and offer astounding promotions that are there to keep players excited and engaged.
Mobile availability is important too. A betting site in 2024 should be fully mobile-optimized, even if it doesn’t have a mobile app. Web-based apps are more popular either way. You can access them from a mobile browser, and not install anything on your device to play on the go.
All these factors and other important things such as customer support are important and can make or break a new betting site. Make sure to keep an eye on them all if you want the absolute best experience.
Why are bonuses and promotions important?
Bonuses and promotions are the tool new betting sites use to draw attention to themselves. Every bettor likes to claim a bonus when they sign up or later. New sportsbooks very much oblige to their wishes, offering top promos for new and seasoned bettors. Every sportsbook will start with a welcome offer, but there are plenty of bonuses and promotions later to earn as a loyal bettor.
The reason for this is competition. In short, bookies use bonuses as a smart PR tool to get the attention of bettors. Sign up bonuses and free bets are important for bettors to join. Later, they can earn more money for their deposits or claim more free bets. There are many bonuses and promotions on offer, and many of them have fair terms. Of course, the terms are what differentiates between good and bad bonuses, and you need to learn the difference between both.
In the paragraphs below, we’ll show you the most common types of bonuses at the top new Nigerian betting sites.
Bonus types at new Nigerian betting sites
As mentioned earlier, the latest betting sites in Nigeria have plenty of different bonus types. There are welcome offers, deposit bonuses, no deposit offers, and free bets among others. Those are just the regular bonus types. As a VIP (loyal) bettor, you can earn other promotions too such as cashbacks and reloads. The goal of any betting bonus is to keep you entertained and engaged, offering extra money to bet with, although sometimes on specific sports only.
- Welcome offers: welcome bonuses, also known as sign up or registration bonuses, are what you get when you join a new sports betting site. The best among them often hand out the biggest sign up offers. In most cases, it’s a 100% first deposit bonus, meaning you get double the amount you deposit after sign up. But, many new sportsbooks may opt for a welcome free bet with fair terms and conditions. Keep an eye on the welcome offer terms and conditions as they might be tricky.
- Deposit bonuses: deposit bonuses are extra money you get on top of your deposits. Whenever you make a deposit, you get a deposit boost such as 100%, 50%, or any number between and beyond. These bonuses have terms and conditions just like the rest. They’re not free even if you get a minor boost.
- No deposit bonuses: as the name suggests, no deposit bonus offers require no deposits. They are the direct opposite of deposit bonuses. But, even if some new betting sites advertise them as free money, don’t take their word for it. They still have many different terms and conditions to cover, so they’re just like any other bonus.
- Free bets: here’s the most popular type of bonus at new betting sites in Nigeria. Free bets are anything but free, although technically, you can find a free bet without wagering. Those are rare, though, so you’ll most likely come across the common free bet offer on specific football games, horse races, or so. These special free bets come in addition to regular ones you’ll come across many betting platforms, some of which are on offer for new players.
- Cashbacks, reloads, etc: as a loyal bettor at the top new betting sites, you’ll find many cashbacks, reloads, and similar loyalty offers. Their goal is to keep you betting and reward your loyalty so you don’t jump ship to another platform.
How to find the best bonus offer?
Finding the best new betting site bonus offer isn’t as easy as it sounds. While it may look like you can pick and click on any offer, you should do a lot of research before choosing your bonus offer. If you do that without research, you may be left with a bad bonus on your hands you’re rushing to wager with nothing in returns.
Before claiming a bonus, you need to read the terms in detail. We know that no one likes to read the fine print, but you may lose your bonus and winnings if you don’t. And it’s not just the wagering. There are other important T&Cs as well including the time for completion and the minimum odds you can bet on.
Wagering
The wagering requirements are the most important condition you should look for before claiming a betting bonus. They indicate the number of times you need to play the bonus over before you can withdraw. That’s the essence of any betting bonus, even a free bet. You may get extra funds to play with for free, but you won’t be able to withdraw before you’ve wagered the bonus (and sometimes the deposit.
On average, most free bets and welcome offers have a wagering of 5x. This means five times the deposit. If, for example, you get $20 as a free bet with 5x wagering, it means you must spend $100 before any winnings are released. This is a non-negotiable part of the offer, and often means spending way more money than the bonus itself. If you don’t agree with it, you’re better off without bonus offers.
Minimum Odds
You won’t be able to bet on just any odds when wagering the bonus. Most offers come with a minimum odds requirement. So, for example, you might only be able to wager the free bet you got on sign up on odds of 2.0 and above. In this way, the bookie ensures fairness. With the min. odds requirement, you won’t be able to win for sure by placing bets on short odds at the top new betting sites in Nigeria.
Period (time of completion)
You can’t wager a bonus or free bet forever. The latest betting sites will give you just a week to wager the bonus or at best 14-30 days. That usually depends on the size of the bonus. Unless you wager the bonus money in that period, you will forfeit it and what you’ve won.
What is a fair Bonus?
A fair bonus is one that has the aforementioned terms in order. You will never find an ideal bonus offer at the top new sportsbooks in Nigeria. But, your betting site of choice should be transparent with the terms and keep them within reasonable limits so you can wager and keep the money you’ve won.
It goes without saying that punters should always choose a betting site for the other stuff we mentioned, not just the bonus. No matter how great the offers look like, the site might falter in other areas. Make sure you check yours in detail and that it has all the things a modern new betting site needs.
New Betting sites in Nigeria – the Ultimate List
There are plenty of new betting sites that have obtained a license in Nigeria in the past few years. They range from smaller, newly-opened sportsbooks to relatively popular betting sites that have just arrived to the market. Either way, new betting sites try hard to appeal to all kinds of bettors. That’s why they deserve a visit.
If you’re looking for the latest betting sites in Nigeria, you should focus on the following three.
N1
N1Bet is one of the coolest sportsbooks on the Nigerian online betting markets. It’s also one of the latest sites to hit it, opening its doors in early 2022. It has a proper license from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, and a valid SSL encryption certificate to go with.
The website is known for its red/black color scheme that’s instantly recognizable. Navigation is a breeze, and more so on mobile devices. Unlike Betano, it does have its own iOS app. In terms of betting, you get to pick over 40 sports and place fixed odds and live betting bets.
N1 is also known for its range of exclusive promotions and combo boosts. Make sure to keep an eye on the bonuses tab if you want to claim the best bonus offers with fair terms.
1xbet
99/100
Rating
1xBet Strengthen
- A large number of betting markets
- Betting with cryptocurrencies
- In-play betting and live-streaming
While it’s an instantly recognizable name around the world, 1xbet only obtained a Nigeria license in 2022. It was a welcome addition to the crowded market, bringing top odds on football and many other sports and markets. Known for its sports partners that include Paris Saint Germain and FC Barcelona, 1xbet is a major brand you can’t go wrong with.
Among the great football odds because of the sports partnerships, 1xbet is known for its great Esports betting range. It also has a long list of trusted payment methods you can use for swift and safe deposits and withdrawals. With an excellent and rewarded live betting platform, you’re in for quite a ride at 1xbet. Out of all the latest betting sites in Nigeria, it has the longest list of fans. 1xbet is considered one of the best betting sites as well, so it’s always a great pick for beginners.
Parimatch
87/100
Rating
Parimatch Strengthen
- Live betting and live streaming
- Great mobile betting app
- A large number of football betting markets
Parimatch obtained the Nigerian license in mid-2021. It has been on a rampage since then, becoming one of the best new betting sites in the country. Keep in mind that the sportsbook was already a big hit with bettors around the world. It has brought that experience and excellence to the market in Nigeria, appealing to both new and seasoned punters.
The website allows you to sign up in a few minutes. You can do that via email, a phone number, or via the one-click registration. When you’re done, you can log in and bet on all your favorite sports. They include football, basketball, horse racing, tennis, Esports, and more. There are even non-sporting events with great odds in two. Parimatch has excellent bonuses and promotions on offer, starting with the welcome bonus.
Loyal punters can expect more where that comes from. Keep an eye on the promotions page and you can rest assured that you’ll come across many free bets and bonuses that’ll give your bankroll a great boost.
The best new betting site markets in Nigeria
- Football: football is a globally popular sport, and it’s not different in Nigeria. If you’re looking to bet on the top European leagues, 1xbet would be our choice. It has a wide range of markets with great odds in tow and plenty of promotions to keep you entertained.
- Tennis: for tennis, Betano would be our pick. In our experience, it has the best live betting tennis platform, with all major ATP/WTA tournaments covered. It also has plenty of specials and live streams from Grand Slams, so it’s the best the market has to offer to tennis fans.
- Basketball: Parimatch is the winner when it comes to basketball markets. The odds are at their best here, and all the major competitions are covered including the likes of the NBA and Euroleague.
- American sports: when it comes to American sports including the NHL, NFL, and MLB, N1 is our choice. You’ll see many of these markets featured on the front page for easy access if you’re looking for such action.
- Esports: Parimatch and 1xbet are great picks for Esports fans. They have the most extensive range of markets with decent odds and cover all the major and minor tournaments.
- Horse racing: if you’re into horse racing, Betano has great odds. It covers the most popular events in Africa and around the world, in tow with special racing promos.
Which new sportsbooks should I avoid?
If you want the best possible online sports betting experience, you need to look into a few trust factors. We’ll take a deep look into the license as well as check if the SSL encryption is valid. Make sure you’re accessing the original website. You have the original link on these pages. If you’re somehow redirected to another site, you’ve probably visited a scam link and you should avoid it.
If the site is not secured by SSL, your browser should warn you. Always visit official new betting site links and you should be fine.
FAQ: New Betting Sites in Nigeria
Yes, they are. Nigeria’s new betting sites are licensed by the lottery commission which makes them legit and safe to join.
When looking for a new betting site to join, you should take a look at a few important factors. Among them are the license, encryption certificate, and fair bonus terms.
All new betting sites in Nigeria hold a license from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. This makes them 100% safe to join and legal too.
The best new sportsbooks in Nigeria have dozens of sports betting options. Among them are football, basketball, tennis, Esports, and more, all of which come packed with hundreds of markets.
A good betting bonus or free bet at the top new betting sites in Nigeria should have fair terms. That means low wagering requirements, high minimum odds, and other bits and pieces under the terms which are sure to make a bonus fair.
Yes, they are if the fulfill the conditions above. You should always take a look at the terms and conditions first before you claim a bonus offer.
Joining the best new betting sites is easy. Many of them feature a one-click sign up option, in addition to registration via social media, email, and phone numbers.
Yes, they do. All new sportsbooks have live betting platforms which are sure to excite new and seasoned punters. Live betting is the future of online sports betting, and paired with great odds, it offers a truly remarkable experience.
No, it isn’t, and that’s a shame. With that being said, the best new betting sites will have live streaming platforms on selected sports and matches you can bet on while in play.
Yes, you can. Many of the top new sportsbooks offer odds and betting markets on top Nigerian football, basketball, and other sports competitions and tournaments. You can also expect horse racing action throughout Africa and Esports matches by African teams.
5 Tips on new Nigerian betting sites
- Always choose licensed sports betting sites: if you want the best sports betting experience online, you have to choose a licensed sportsbook. That’s non-negotiable – if you don’t, you’re not just risking losing your money, but your personal details too. Scam betting sites are an unfortunate reality, and by choosing properly licensed bookies, you’ll stay as far away from them as possible.
- Set limits on your bankroll: when you bet on sports online, you have to be responsible. Responsible gambling means setting limits on your bankroll. Those can be daily, weekly, or monthly. Whenever you go over that limits, you should stop betting. Remember – online gambling is supposed to be fun.
- Shop for odds: with so many great new betting sites in Nigeria, it would be a shame not to pick the best odds. Better yet, no one’s stopping you from registering at several websites. Use one for football betting that has the best odds, another one for live bets, a third for horse betting, etc. You know the drill.
- Always read the terms: each betting site has different betting and bonus terms. It goes without saying that they should be 100% fair. If you want the best possible experience, you’ll have to read the terms.
- Don’t settle for the first one: you should never settle for the first new betting site you come across. There are plenty of options out there, and others might suit you more. Check all the sites, compare their features and odds, and you will find one that suits your bankroll and betting style the most.
Sum up of the best new betting site comparisons
Nigeria is a hot new betting market for online sportsbooks, so it’s natural that there are so many new betting sites right now. There are plenty of options on the market, and it would be a shame not to see what each one offers.
Just like seasoned betting sites, new betting sites have all the popular betting options and some new markets as well. With a focus on live betting and streaming and excellent and fresh bonuses and promotions, you should definitely take a look at the latest betting sites on the Nigerian betting markets.
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Bet9ja Strengthen
- Over 100 betting markets
- In-play betting and live-streaming
- Amazing mobile betting app
Read review
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
