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There is nothing that gets Nigerians going like sports. Whether you’re from Lagos or Owerri, a big TV screen and an exciting match are enough to settle differences. If you are one of those people who loves the extra thrill of betting on a game, then Sports Betting NG is the place for you. We have the best betting tips for everyone! It doesn’t matter if you’re a Red Devil or a Gunner, there is a high chance that you will find something fit for you. We cover the most exciting games from the best leagues and championships: thrilling NBA encounters, sensational Champions League matches, delightful Wimbledon games, and so much more! You can access these tips from your pc, your phone, or your tablet. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in to find out more about online betting in Naija!
Contrary to what some people might think, sports betting is a very intricate activity. Winning money from it goes way beyond luck. It is for this reason that, before you decide to embark on your sports betting journey in Nigeria, there are some things you should know. First, there are different ways to bet on sports. You could decide to bet on the clear outcome of a game, which team loses or wins. The other alternative would be to bet on the number of points or goals a team will score in a game. Second, there are different types of bets. You have combination bets and single bets. With combination bets, the bettor puts two or more games or odds into one bet. Here, you need to get several outcomes right to be paid out. Single bets, on the other hand, are win-or-lose bets. The player bets on just one outcome.
Before we get into the best betting sites, let’s look at the history of sports betting in Nigeria.
As a Nigerian, you have most likely seen one aunty turn her nose up at the mention of betting. This is because Nigeria is a very religious state and has a controversial relationship with betting. Up until 2005 with the National Lottery Act, sports betting was illegal in Nigeria. However, sports betting was popular before then. The first type of sports betting was “pools betting” introduced in the 1920s by the British. Players had to predict the outcome of football matches. In the 1950s, to regulate pools betting in Nigeria, the Nigerian Football Pools Association was formed. The 1990s saw the decline of pools betting in favour of private-run bets called sport lottery. This era birthed the first betting company in Nigeria, Premier Lotto, officially established in 2001. Other companies like bet9ja soon followed suit and sports betting only became more popular from there on. According to recent statistics, more than 60 million Nigerians place bets daily—about 30% of our entire population. Annually, sports betting generates more than 730 billion naira, that’s over 1.5 billion naira daily. Mad oh!
Sports betting is legal in Nigeria. However, there are fraudulent sites that promise some of us that we will hit big jackpots and become certified big boys and girls. Is it possible to win big? Yes, even though there is no sure guarantee. The best betting sites however, playing at the best sites drastically reduces the risk of you getting scammed. We’ve compiled a few of our favourites for you to explore.
Betway was launched in 2006 on a global scale but the company only started operating in Nigeria legally in 2021. This sportsbook features amongst our top 10 betting sites in Nigeria. Let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of betting on this site.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Live streaming available | Cluttered display menu |
24/7 customer service | Withdrawal restrictions |
30+ sporting events | |
Mobile app available |
If you’re a sports betting enthusiast, then there is a high chance you have heard of 1xbet. This sportsbook was launched in Nigeria in 2007 and has over 40 sports for you to bet on. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of this site.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Generous welcome bonus, up to 130,000 NGN | Withdrawal restrictions |
Live streaming available | No android app |
Low minimum deposit of just 400 NGN | |
Competitive odds, up to 200.00 |
It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced bettor or if you are new to the sports betting world, 22bet is one of those sites that you just have to visit. It was launched in 2018 and has only been getting better since then. Let’s talk about what you stand to gain if you choose to bet with this site.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
40+ sports to bet on | Confusing design and display |
Live chat available | No bet builder option |
No fees on deposits | |
Virtual sports available |
This sportsbook, licensed by the Lagos State Lottery Board, was established in Nigeria in 2009 and it has been providing Nigerian bettors with quality services since then. With over 34 sports available, this betting site stood out to us. Let’s get into the pros and cons.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Covers several leagues (UEFA Champions, NBA, Bundesliga, and others) | No 24/7 customer support |
Low minimum deposit (100 NGN) | No live streaming |
Welcome bonus of 100% up to 100000 NGN | |
Mobile app for Android and iOS |
As a Nigerian, you most likely know just how rampant 419 scams are. The last thing we want is for you to fall for one of them. It is for this reason that we have compiled a list of factors we use to recommend the best betting sites in Nigeria. Before making a choice, you should consider them as well. Let’s dive into them!
This is one of the most important things you should consider if you want to bet in Nigeria. It doesn’t matter that you are just betting for fun, you need to be cautious. A site can only be considered the best betting site if it is licensed. Licenses are very important when it comes to betting sites in Nigeria. If you don’t want to fall prey to any scams, choose a site that is licensed by a regulatory gambling body. Unlicensed casinos are illegal. In Nigeria, gambling is regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. Most of the 36 states have lottery boards for state-level regulation. Licensing information is usually available at the bottom of the betting site – red flag if you don’t spot anything! Licensed sportsbooks carry out identity checks to protect you from identity theft and fraud.
Another thing you should be looking out for is the SSL encryption and privacy policy. When you sign up at any sportsbook, you share personal details (name, phone number, address) and payment information. To make sure that this information remains completely confidential, you should be placing bets at sportsbooks equipped with 128-bit or 256-bit SSL encryption technology. This technology protects your information from any third party. Check out the privacy policy as well. Make sure to read it before you accept so that these sportsbooks will not carry you go where you no know.
Now that we are here, let’s be honest, is there any Nigerian that doesn’t like freebies? No? We thought as much. Welcome bonuses are a great part of any bettor’s journey and a nice way to squeeze the value out of your sports betting experience. Before we go into more details about welcome bonuses, we need you to know that claiming them is optional. They are just incentives a sportsbook offers you so you can sign up on their site. Think of them as those souvenirs you receive at weddings, a “thank you for coming” gift. These bonuses usually come in the form of extra cash for you to bet. Some of them require you to sign up and make a deposit while others don’t need you to fund your account. All bonuses have terms and conditions attached to them, and they must be fulfilled before you can withdraw any winnings from the bonus amount. One of these terms is a wagering requirement, a multiplier that represents the number of times you have to play through a bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings. The betting sites we recommend have the best welcome bonuses for Nigerian players!
You and I know just how stressful online payments can be for any Nigerian living in Nigeria. It is for this reason that it is important for you to check what payment methods are available on the sportsbook and if you can use them to make deposits and withdraw any potential winnings while in Nigeria. Also, another thing you should be looking out for is the currencies available on the platform. Choose sportsbooks that have the Nigerian naira as part of their available currencies. Else, you’ll find yourself either spending way more on fees or not being able to process payments at all. Common payment methods for Nigerian bets are bank cards, prepaid cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, and direct bank transfers.
Right now, in Nigeria, more than 20 million people use smartphones, about 35% of the population. Only about 18.7% of the population owns a computer. Most people who bet in Nigeria do so with their smartphones. It is for this reason that it is important for you to choose a sportsbook with mobile compatibility. The sportsbooks we recommend either have mobile apps (both android and iOS) or are completely optimized for mobile play. So, you can bet on your favourite matches and even live stream them without having to lift a finger.
Need advice on which payment method to use? Want more clarity on how to claim the welcome bonus? The customer support team will answer these questions and more. It is for this exact reason why you should choose a sportsbook with a responsive customer support team. The betting sites in Nigeria that we recommend have several support channels (live chat, phone, and email). While 24/7 access is nice, the best thing would be for these customer support channels to be responsive.
Sportsbooks with a large array of sports markets are our favourites. We know football ranks high on a lot of people’s lists but there are other sports markets in the betting world. Basketball, tennis, volleyball, rugby, swimming, and even fencing. It is best for you to sign up at sports betting sites with a variety of sports. Who knows? You might even pick up on some other exciting sport when you’re not betting on your favourites.
Betting odds are formulated to give you an idea of how likely it is that a team/competitor will win as well as how much money you will make if your bet on a particular outcome is successful. There are several types of betting odds: fractional, American, and decimal odds. You can choose how a sportsbook will display odds according to your preference. Bookmakers determine the odds of each game. Higher odds generally bring bigger wins. However, lower odds make for safer stakes. Keep in mind that sports betting odds are constantly changing and are not predictable at all.
When you think of sports in Nigeria, the first thing that would probably come to your mind is football. However, there are so many other sports for you discover. Basketball, tennis, boxing, and formula 1 are just some of those sports. Read on and find out what you stand to gain if you bet on these sports.
Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. In Nigeria, about 80 million of us watch football and approximately 60 million of us bet on football. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of betting on this sport.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Increase your football knowledge | Potential for addiction |
More variety as several leagues are available (UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Bundesliga, and more) | |
Convenience as you can bet from the comfort of your home | |
More access to sports betting sites since the sports is popular |
Basketball is another really exciting sport. Though not as popular as football, this sport has millions of fans in Nigeria. If you are one of those fans, then read on to find out the advantages and disadvantages of betting on basketball.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Learn new basketball strategies | Low limits and low odds for European competitions |
High frequency of events | Weak coverage from bookmakers |
Many matches with equal probability | |
Bookmakers keep their margins to minimum |
If you’re tired of seeing 22 players run around a ball, then the fast-paced tennis is for you. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of betting on this sport.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
There is no draw result | Fixed games |
Large number of markets | Irregularities (like bad weather) lead to games being postponed |
Frequent match-ups | |
Numerous matches |
Boxing is one of the oldest sports known to man. If you’re interested in betting on this sport, then check out the pros and cons of betting on it.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
It’s an individual sport, so outcome depends on just one player | Refereeing scandals are common |
Multiple betting markets | Short odds |
Small number of participants so knowledge field is not broad | |
Fights are more interesting to watch |
Fast cars, exciting races, and thrilling turns, what is there not to love about Formula 1? Betting on this sport is just as exciting as watching it. Let’s have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of betting on it.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Increases the thrill of the game | So many possible outcomes |
Possibility to bet on special features | No live streaming |
Very active during weekends | |
Very high odds for less popular drivers |
While some betting sites might have particularities, the signup process at Nigerian betting sites is pretty much the same. To start your bet naija journey, follow these steps:
Brand | Bonus | Best Features |
---|---|---|
1xBet | 300% first deposit bonus of up to 145,600 NGN | Multiple promos – 30% cashback bonus – VIP cashback – Lucky Friday promotions of up to 49,000 NGN |
Betway | 100% first deposit bonus | Awoof Naijackpot promotion -Top up Tuesdays – Super boost Saturday |
Netbet | 100% first deposit bonus | Use code WELCOME200NG for maximum bonuses – 50% winnings on combo boost |
22bet | Up to 50,000 NGN 100% matched up bonus | Live betting – Online casino feature – Mobile app |
Payment methods are probably the most important feature on sports betting sites. Nigerians can use several payment methods to make deposits and withdraw any potential winnings. Note that PayPal is not suitable for use in Nigeria, so is not listed here. But let us talk about the other methods:
Cards are some of the most popular payment methods on betting sites worldwide. If you have a bank account, then there is a high chance that you know how they work. There are different types of cards and different providers. Let’s have a look at the two most common cards.
You will almost always see Visa listed as a payment method on top betting sites. There are several options for Visa: debit and credit cards. These cards offer maximum security and a very fast processing speed.
Mastercard debit and credit cards are popular payment methods as well. Just like Visa, payments are processed very quickly, and they offer maximum security. Deposits reflect in your account instantly.
Within the last decade in Nigeria, the popularity of e-Wallets has skyrocketed. Here are some of the e-Wallets you’ll commonly find on betting sites.
MoneyGo is available worldwide and accepts Nigerian players. You can fund your account through bank transfer. This e-Wallet processes payments instantly and its SSL encryption technology ensures all your data is safe and secure.
With perfect money, you can fund your account with direct deposits, wire transfers, and money terminals. Payments are processed instantly when you use this e-Wallet.
Skrill 1-Tap is a perfect alternative for PayPal. You can load your Skrill 1-Tap account with your card. You can also withdraw from your Skrill account to your card.
You can use the Paga App on your phone or your computer. The transaction limit per day on this e-Wallet is 1,000,000 NGN.
You have probably heard about Flutterwave before. This e-Wallet was founded in Nigeria in 2016. It offers secure, quick, and confidential transactions.
Paystack offers several payment channels that you can use to fund and withdraw from your account. All transaction times depend on the payment channel you decide to use. Some of these payment channels are cards, bank accounts, and USSD.
Players also have the option of making transactions directly without using any third-party apps or sites. Here are some ways you can do that.
When you use this payment method to fund your 1xBet account, there are no service charges. The minimum deposit amount is 1 USD (740 NGN).
You could also choose to make your transactions through direct bank transfers. Withdrawals with this payment method take about 2-8 business days to show up in your account.
A self-service terminal is a self-operated device or terminal that reads, captures, and transmits debit card information and provides the user of the debit card with the product or service requested. One of these self-service terminals is Quickteller.
To deposit with Quickteller, you have to top your account with a service like Western Union. The funds will reflect instantly, and you can start betting on your favorite sports. It is perfect for players who would prefer to keep their banking information private.
Prepaid cards are not linked to any account. When you buy them, they are already loaded with funds. Each purchase made with the card is deducted from the card’s balance. Paysafecard is a popular prepaid card that Nigerians can use on sports betting sites.
Paysafecard is powered by Mastercard. To use this card, you would have to register on the platform and then collect your physical card at any offline outlet. Many betting sites accept this payment method.
e-Vouchers are an electronic version of gift vouchers. They are also known as gift cards. They can be redeemed online using a particular code. Jeton Cash is a popular e-Voucher in Nigeria.
To redeem your Jeton Cash e-Voucher, go to the sports betting site, select Jeton Cash then put in the 19-digit code and the value of the voucher. Topping up your Jeton wallet is easy. This e-Voucher is delivered via email.
Cryptocurrency is becoming more popular on betting sites because of its quick processing speed and low fees. Here are some of the most popular cryptocurrencies you can use to make deposits and withdraw potential winnings in Nigeria.
Bitcoin is one of the most popular cryptocurrency wallets in Nigeria, maybe the most popular. This cryptocurrency wallet can be funded using your bank account. After you choose the amount, you want to deposit on your preferred bookmaker, a Bitcoin address will pop up. You will have to go to your crypto wallet to process the payment. It will reflect on your balance instantly.
Ethereum gained momentum in Nigeria within the last decade. It is very easy to use, and the deposit process is similar to the one you use for Bitcoin. Deposits are processed instantly.
AS Roma fan tokens influence the decisions taken at the AS Roma HQ. To purchase AS Roma fan tokens, you will need to download and log in to the Socios.com App. Betting sites like 1Xbet accept this crypto token.
At sports betting sites, there are withdrawal-specific payment methods. This is because not all deposit methods can be used to make withdrawals. Here are some of the most common withdrawal methods accepted at Nigerian betting sites.
Method | Description | Processing Time | Fees | Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Interswitch | Payment system | 4-8 business days | 1.5% | Minimum: 500 NGN Maximum: 250,000 NGN |
Opay | eWallet | 1-2 business days | 50-1500 NGN | Min: 100 NGN Max: 99,000,000 NGN |
EFT | eWallet | 1-2 business days | 50-1500 NGN | Min: 100 NGN Max: 99,000,000 NGN |
Paystack | Payment system | 24-48 hours | 1.5% | Min: 500 NGN Max: 100,000,000 NGN |
Verve | Bank card | 1-5 business days | None | Min: 1000-5000 NGN Max: 500,000 NGN |
Mastercard | Bank card | 1-7 business days | None | Min: 700 NGN Max: 2,500,000 NGN |
Visa | Bank card | 1-7 business days | None | Min: 700 NGN Max: 2,500,000 NGN |
Bitcoin | Cryptocurrency | 15 minutes | None | Min: 700 NGN Max: no limit |
Skrill | e-Wallet | 15 minutes | None | Min: 100 NGN Max: 99,000,000 NGN |
Perfect Money | e-Wallet | 15 minutes | None | Min: 100 NGN Max: 99,000,000 NGN |
In Nigeria, gambling is legal in all 36 states. To play, you need to be at least 18 years old. Betting is regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission but also happens at state levels. Most of the 36 states have Lottery Boards that regulate the gambling market. Some of these lottery boards are the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, the Oyo State Gaming Board, and the Benue State Sports and Marketing Lottery Board.
Gambling is legal in Nigeria, but online gambling is in the grey area as the Criminal Act Code (updated in 2004) does not really cover it. However, playing at sportsbooks licensed by offshore gambling bodies is not forbidden. We recommend bookmakers with licenses from reputable names like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, or the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. Very often, you will find the bookmaker’s information at the bottom of the page. Bookmakers licensed by these reputable gambling bodies will ask you to verify your information after you sign up. You might need to send your passport, national identity card, or driver’s license.
Several betting sites are available in Nigeria, where you can bet on games from the comfort of your couch. It is important that you choose a betting site that is safe and licensed by a reputable gambling body like the Malta Gaming Commission or the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority. Some of the betting sites we recommend are 22bet, 1Xbet, Betway, and Netbet.
When we talk about safety in terms of betting sites, we are referring to how secure your transactions are and if your personal details are protected. The sites we recommend (Betway, 1Xbet, 22bet, and Netbet) are all secured with SSL encryption technologies. This means that no third-party can access any of your details or steal your payment information.
The oldest betting site is Nairabet. It was founded in 2009 by Akin Alabi. He had the brilliant idea of founding this company when he went to the UK and visited a sports betting shop with his brother. The company has since then been a success, ranking amongst the most visited Nigerian websites.
Even though we have a controversial history with gambling, it is completely legal to bet in Nigeria if you are above 18 years of age. State Lottery Boards have peculiarities, so it would be best for you to check out which games you can and cannot bet on in your state. For example, it is illegal to bet on roulette in certain states.
The betting sites with the best odds are Betway, Netbet, 22bet, and 1Xbet. At 22bet, the odds go up to 200.00!
The most convenient payment methods to use on Nigerian sites are Opay, Paga, Paystack, and Flutterwave. You can also make deposits and withdraw potential winnings through direct bank transfers. Credit and debit cards are also acceptable. However, the limits set by the CBN will make it hard for you to use them.