Top 7 Best Betting Sites in Nigeria

Where can we bet securely and which are the leading bookmakers in Nigeria?

There are not one or two licensed bookmakers in Nigeria, so punters will need help to choose the right website for them. To help with this choice, we provide a table with one of the best online bookmakers which will meet the expectations of Nigerian customers.

Introduction

Betting in Nigeria is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the online field. Although punters are limited in terms of where they can legally and safely bet in brick and mortar establishments, the internet provides the opportunity for many to access reputable betting companies, and take advantage of great odds on local as well as international betting events.

Top 3 online betting websites in Nigeria

Due to the confusing legalities surrounding online betting in Nigeria, there are not as many vendors willing to accept Nigerian players, as there are in other countries. Despite this, there are still a number of high-quality bookmakers that offer their services to this market, and provide everything that bettors could want. Some of the best betting sites for Nigeria include:

Visit Bet9ja

Visit Betway

Competition between Operators

There is no monopoly when it comes to online gambling; there are a number of different sites that offer their services to the market. This is beneficial to punters because it means that vendors are constantly looking to improve their services and offer better odds, to gain more customers, as well as provide variety.

When it comes to betting in brick and mortar establishments, things are slightly different. There are only a handful of physical casinos in Nigeria that have been granted licenses to operate. While this does not constitute a monopoly, as they are all independent, it does limit the market competition, as well as limit the number of users that can access them.

Available Payment Methods

Nigerian betting sites offer a range of different payment methods so that there is a convenient option for everyone. Among the most commonly-accepted methods are Visa and Mastercard, as well as e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller. Deposits are generally instantaneous and do not incur a fee. Although it varies from site to site, the minimum that can be deposited is usually around 100 NGN. Withdrawals can be made using the same methods, and although they are still free, it can take up to 24 hours.

While all Kenyan betting sites will accept the local currency (NGN), there is no guarantee that international sites will, in fact, many of them do not. Where this is the case, most sites will provide users with the opportunity to convert their local currency into something that is more widely used, such as USD or EUR. Punters should be cautious with these services because many of the conversions can be costly.

Mobile Betting in Nigeria

Mobile betting is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to bet throughout the country. Sites are aware of this and tailor their services accordingly. Many online bookmakers offer free apps to download so that punters can play on a platform that is specifically designed to be used on a smaller device and often requires fewer data to download unnecessary graphics. For sites that do not have apps, there is always the mobile version of the desktop site. These vendors design their services specifically for the mobile user to play anywhere, any time.

Leading Sports for Betting in Nigeria

Sports betting is one of the most common forms of gambling in Nigeria, and the high demand has resulted in a diverse market that offers all punters could want. The most common sports to bet on are:

• Football
  Football is the most popular sport globally, and British influence within Nigeria increased interest in the sport, as well as in betting on it. International markets undoubtedly have a wide variety of games and championships to browse, but local and continental sites will offer options that are closer to home and include other African teams.
• Basketball
  Nigeria has one of the best basketball teams in Africa, and enjoyment in the sport has increased interest in betting on it. The team frequently plays teams from other countries within the continent, but also further abroad, and these can be bet on from both local and international sites.
• Athletics
  Nigeria is known to have an exceptionally talented athletics population, and many athletes have represented the country at global events such as the Olympics. Local sites will, of course, offer greater coverage on national events, but international bookmakers will often also cover the larger events.

The Profile of a Nigerian Bettor

Due to the patchy nature of the legalities of betting in Nigeria, not a lot is known about the average bettor. However, what can be deduced is that punters are more likely to be male, and more likely to be young. Some studies have also shown that there are a higher than the average number of individuals who bet frequently (multiple times a week), compared to other countries where the average punter only bets occasionally.

FAQ

Our Verdict

The current situation regarding gambling in Nigeria means that punters have relatively free access to all kinds of betting sites, and can play however they please. The regulatory authority in Lagos offers licenses to sites that are safe and reliable, and punters can also play on international betting sites.

Despite that, there is still rampant fraud and illegal activity within the online Nigerian betting community. Because it is not regulated at a national level, this leaves room for a crime that goes undetected, and customers become victims. When this occurs, they also have no legal protection due to the status of online gambling.

Only time will tell if the Nigerian government decides to update their laws specifically to protect online players, a demographic that is exponentially growing. Until then, punters should exercise caution because there are still safe sites that can be used and enjoyed.