Player criteria for betting in Nigeria
Not all Nigerians are allowed to sign up with bookmakers. You need to meet certain criteria to become a registered user, including:
Compare the best Nigeria betting sites
Below is a table with the best sportsbooks accessible to Nigerians. Our team handpicks top-notch betting sites in Nigeria and updates the table regularly. As you’ll discover, the bookmakers differ in different aspects.
For instance, one may be ideal for live bettors, while another one has the best mobile-optimised site and so on. In that case, you, as the user, need to choose wisely – go for the alternative that suits your unique betting style.
How to start betting in Nigeria
Getting started on your sports betting journey in Nigeria is straightforward. The guide below will help you sign up for an account with your preferred bookmaker and safely dive into action all by yourself.
We advise betting enthusiasts to use our ranking of the sportsbooks in Nigeria because it is carried out by seasoned experts in the gambling world. And, as we have already told you, the ranking is regularly updated
Fill out a registration form. Ensure you provide real data about yourself. Complete verification by entering a unique SMS code or following a verification link that’ll be sent to your email. Remember to claim your welcome bonus, if any is available, upon making your first deposit
Make your first deposit using your preferred payment method. Popular options include e-wallets, phone wallets, and bank cards
Explore the sports the platform covers and choose your favourite sport. Specify how much money you want to spend. After that, place your bet by hitting the Bet or Place Bet button
Keeping track of results after placing your bet is very easy. You can go to the live betting section of the sportsbook and follow the proceedings in the matches on which you placed a wager. Alternatively, you can check your bet slip in the bet history section once the events are over
Winnings are usually credited to your account balance for withdrawal. It is advisable to check the withdrawal limits, transaction speed, and any extra fees for available payment methods. After that, specify the amount of funds you wish to withdraw from your sportsbook account and confirm the transaction
How we rate and review sportsbooks
We’ve got a comprehensive set of criteria that we employ in rating and reviewing bookmakers. Here are some of the key factors we consider:
Sports to bet on at Nigeria betting sites
Sports betting sites in Nigeria cover diverse events across different sports. This is essential because bettors have varied preferences. Here’s a glimpse of the most popular sports to bet on in Nigeria:
BasketballThe sites cover events in different basketball leagues and tournaments. You can bet on matches in the National Basketball Association (NBA), FIBA World Cup, EuroLeague, EuroBasket, etc. Locally, you’ll find betting opportunities across matches in the Nigerian Premier Basketball League (NPBL)
FootballMost, if not all, betting sites cover domestic and foreign football events. So, you’ll find plenty of betting opportunities on matches in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), the EPL, FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and more
VolleyballThose into volleyball can bet on matches in events such as FIVB Volleyball World Grand Champions Cup, Nations League, African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB), Olympic Games, Volleyball World League, and many other competitions
TennisYou are covered, whether you like tennis singles or doubles. The Wimbledon, US Open, and Australian Open are some of the grand slams most Nigerian betting sites cover
BoxingNigerian sports fans follow the bouts as they go down in popular boxing championships such as the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organisation (WBO). Bookmakers allow them to bet on all these events
AthleticsNigerians are attracted to athletics, as the country is known for producing top sprinters. World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games are some of the elite events betting sites that accept bettors from Nigeria
Note that you can place wagers on matches in these sports either before they begin (pre-match betting) or as they unfold (live betting).
Other betting options in Nigeria
There are other betting options for Nigerians besides traditional sports. Here are some of the alternatives you can try:
- Esports: Esports are particularly popular among younger betting audiences and, unlike traditional sports, are available all year round. Dota 2, FIFA, and CS: Go are some popular examples.
- Politics: Betting on politics is gaining traction in Nigeria. You can wager on both local and international elections.
- Awards: You can bet on events such as the Oscars and the Ballon dÓr. The Grammys is another option worth trying.
Types of bets available to Nigerians
There are multiple ways of betting on sports at betting sites in Nigeria. Here are the most popular bet types the best bookmakers offer:
- Totals (including alternative totals): The totals involve betting on whether the total combined points, goals, or runs will be equal to a specified number.
- Spreads (including alternative spreads): You bet on a team or player to win by fewer or more points than the set spread.
- Moneyline bet: This is the simplest bet you can place in sports betting, as you wager on who will win.
- Winning margin: In this market, you predict the exact margin by which a given team or player will win a match.
- Over/under bet: Here, you predict whether a team or player’s goals, points, runs, etc, will be over or under a quantified number.
- Parlay bets: A parlay bet involves adding two or more selections( events) to the same bet. All selections must be correct to win.
- Quarters/Periods/Innings/Halves: This entails betting on outcomes in specific parts of a match, e.g., the first quarter, second half, first inning, etc.
Is sports betting legal in Nigeria?
The legal gambling landscape in Nigeria has its complexities stemming from the existence of federal law and individual state laws. It is worth noting that not all states in the country allow their residents to bet on sports.
There are cases where Sharia law is enforced to the letter – residents are not allowed to take part in any form of gambling. No sports betting, lottery, casino, etc. Be that as it may, bettors in such states can register with offshore gambling sites and bet on sports. Just ensure you choose a licensed, regulated, and trusted sportsbook for your safety.
Where in Nigeria can I bet on sports?
There are many places where you can bet on sports in Nigeria, as sports betting is legal across most states. While individual states have the autonomy to regulate gambling, most still rely on federal law and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).
Currently, there are 36 states in Nigeria. Out of these, 32 still rely on the federal government to regulate gambling.
The following states have their own regulatory bodies:
- Lagos: Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority
- Ogun: Ogun State Gaming Board
- Oyo: Oyo State Gaming Board
- Rivers: Rivers State Gaming Board
As aforementioned, there are states with Sharia law, where gambling, including sports betting is not allowed. However, some users decide to bet with foreign bookmakers to avoid problems with local authorities.
Responsible gambling and betting in Nigeria
Problem gambling, also known as gambling addiction, has grave consequences if no remedial action is taken before it gets out of hand. Luckily, all the betting sites we feature in our ranking advocate responsible gambling behaviour.
Some have built-in tools for managing your betting action on their platforms, including setting bet limits and the daily amount of time you want to spend betting. Plus, they team up with renowned organisations where you can seek help with problem betting. Examples include BeGambleAware, and GamCare.