During the last years, gambling industry in Nigeria has continued to expand, benefitting from the large and youthful population, improving internet penetration, and the increasing access to internet-enabled devices. Sports betting has slowly emerged as a lucrative segment, leveraging Nigeria’s huge football culture. Some of the big leagues, such as the English Premier league, and the Spanish La Liga, have millions of fans in the country — betting provides Nigerians the opportunity to earn from what they love.
The Nigerian gaming landscape is being driven by influence of change, driven by the dynamics of players, stricter regulations, improvements in Internet accessibility and the importance of consumer preferences, which is growing sufficiently.
According to the last researches, the industry of gambling in Nigeria was estimated at more than $2 billion and continue to increase in quickest pace. Due to the analysis of NAN (News Agency of Nigeria), approximately 60 million citizens of Nigeria from 18 to 40 are engaged in sports bettingб which is almost a 30% of total population.
Top betting sites:
| sites | video streaming | live tracking | other varieties | mobile app | customer service | tutorials |
| bet9ja | yes | yes | yes (casinos, dog & horse racing) | android & ios |
phone calls, email and twitter. absence of live chat service. | yes |
| 1xbet | yes | yes | yes (casinos, dog & horse racing, etc.) | android & ios | 24/7 online customer service facility, phone calls, email, twitter, imo, whatsapp, signal | yes |
| sportybet | no | yes | yes (but few like darts, dog and horse racing, etc.) | android | phone calls, email, facebook and twitter. absence of live chat service. | yes |
| nairabet | no | yes | yes (casino, poker, etc.) | android & ios | phone calls and email. absence of live chat service. | yes |
| surebet247 | no | yes | yes(snooker, casino, jackpot, etc.) | android | phone calls and email. absence of live chat service. | yes(under the guise of surbet247 help center) |
| naijabet | no | yes | yes (pools & casino) | android | phone calls, whatsapp and email. absence of live chat service. | no |
| lionsbet | no | yes | yes(snooker, waterpolo & winter sports) | android | phone calls, email, facebook and twitter. absence of live chat service. | no |
| accessbet | no | yes | yes(bandy, casino, golden race & waterpolo) | no | phone calls & email. absence of live chat service. | no |
| hamabet | no | yes | yes (casino & outrights) | no | phone calls, whatsapp, email, facebook and twitter. absence of live chat service. | yes |
| 22bet | no | yes | yes (22games, esports, tvgames & casinos) | android & ios | 24/7 online customer service facility, phone calls & email | no |
| betfarm | no | yes | yes (e-sports, poker, casinos, bingo, betgames tv, fantazy sports & blast) | android & ios for the site, as well as for casino and poker | 24/7 online customer service live chat, internal message, phone calls & email | yes |
| ubc365 | no | yes | yes (bingo, e-sports, casinos & pools) | android – for sportsbook & casino | online customer service facility, phone calls, whatsapp & email | no |
| melbet | no | yes | yes (hunting and fishing, card game, slots, casino & tv games) | android & ios | online customer service facility, phone calls & email | no |
| betbonanza | no | yes | yes (darts, casino, bandy, martial arts & waterpolo) | no | online live chat, internal messaging service, phone calls, whatsapp & email | yes(under the guise of sport betting tips) |
| marathonbet | no | yes | yes (financials, e-sports, casinos & horse and dog racing) | android & ios | online live chat, internal messaging service, phone calls & email | yes (under the guise of help) |
| premierbet | no | yes | yes (darts, skiing & specials) | android | online live chat, internal messaging service, phone calls & email | yes |
A major impact on this growth connected with the process of legalization of this industry by a government, which brought it to a new level. Started in 2005 with a National Lottery Act and initiating of the governmental regulatory institution, it has been handled a several challenges connected with developing process till reached today’s results. According to NAN’s statistics, gambling makes over than 0,4% country’s GDP, which is the highest economy in African region.
The part of industry, connected with bets, is subdivided on in-land-playing and playing via the Internet. Despite the fact, that first form is still dominated, this tendency will be changed in the near future. Legalization of online-betting by the government returned the balance of the level of public confidence, because punters have become ensured of getting their withdrawals. Moreover, mobile versions and applications have been developed or developing now by the all major players on gambling market. Leading in this segment 1xBET has their own application on all the main smartphone’s operational systems and even a PC. By the way, downloading it via our link with promo code will give you an extra amount on the first bankroll beyond traditional 100€. For instance, 1xBET is an official partner of soccer Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and National Soccer Team in Nigeria. It also the major contributor to the «Confédération africaine de football (CAF)» and «African Cup of Nations (AFCON)» tournaments.
However, it isn’t only the one existing. If we look on the companies, which have been licensed by National Lottery Regulatory Commission, which is governmental institution responsible for regulation of such services in the region, we will see that there are 16 companies operation officially under the law.
This review will estimate the most part of them, provide a brief summary of their websites and give a detached view on their functionality and UX-applicability. As for extra bonus for attentive reading, there will be our promo codes, which expand your welcome bonus on an extra amount. Promo codes are created to obtain benefits, thus, feel free to make your betting a little bit more enjoyable.
List of legal providers
Whole industry is operating under the regulation of National Lottery Act 2005. With this document was established the National Lottery Regulation Commission, which is responsible for monitoring compliance with the obligations prescribed by the Act.
This institution is providing governmental license to the bookmaker companies, thus, they can operate officially. The total list of companies included by the moment is 16, here the full list:
- 1xBET — BEAUFORTBET NIGERIA LIMITED
- Bet9ja — KC Gaming Ltd
- NaijaBET — Naijabet Limited
- NairaBET — Over the Top Entertainment Ltd
- SportyBet — Sporty Internet Limited
- Access Bet — TM Gaming Ltd
- iBET — Promoserve Inter Links Ltd
- BlackBet — Blackbet Ltd
- BetBiga — Crystral gaming Limited
- Cloud Bet — Interactive Gaming Solutions Limited
- BetLion — VisaTech Limited
- BETPAWA — CALGARY ONLINE LIMITED
- Msport — Mobile Sport Limited
- AfriBet — Africa Betting Company Nigeria Ltd
- Alphagramwa — AlphaGram West Africa Ltd
- Betway — Digi Bay Limited
With the general name of the company it is also displayed a juridical one. What means such license and why it is important? The answer is simple: In case you have some troubles with payouts or other issues during your betting, you are able to formally apply to this institution and that would help you in court. In real, companies are valuing their licenses, so chances that issue would go so far are minimal.
What is more, 1xBET, for instance, is operating under the license of Curacao eGaming — the most trustful and stable instance since 1996. It ensures the highest protection on worldwide level. Although, it is another reason for so rapid gross of GGR (Gross Gambling Revenue) last years.
There is no sense to cover all of 16 companies, so we highlighted from them only TOP5. There are 1xBET, NairaBET, Bet9ja, NaijaBET and SportyBet. Therefore, let overview them in detail.
1xBET
Pros and Cons
In comparison to the main factors of the bookmaker, it’s benefits are:
- Pretty high odds
- wide range of events in a sportsbook, which includes more than 1000 items per day
- 100$ bonus for a new users deposit
- financial bets, eSports and cryptocurrency exchange
- easy-to-use website and app, which is multilingual
- 24/7 tech support answering as rapid as you can imagine
On the other hand, there are also some downsides of 1XBET, like:
- lack of statistics
- limitations in live-streaming functionality
- need to use mirror-links in some countries
- Mobile App for some regions is also banned
Sportsline and Markets
A key advantage of the company concedes in its sporline wideness: unconditional leader between other’s — that’s all about 1xBET. Line consists of:
- Sports discipline’s
- Weather
- Politics
- Lottery and TV-shows
- eSports
- Special one’s (e.g. Eurovision Song Contest), etc.
The opportunities to bet is largely varies and even non-famous disciplines are presented.
As for another sections of available activity, there are a casino-live and general to choose, virtual sports games, online poker, lottery, financial betting, slot-games and some other kinds with common features. Finally, even own crypto exchange platform was developed in order to provide the maximum level of convenience with methods of payments. By the way, the are more than 25 different cryptocurrencies listed.
Presence on other platforms
With keeping in mind, the awareness of key importance applicability in other gadgets and platforms, 1xBET has surpassed themselves even. There are a Mobile App for users with android-powered devices, as well as iOS one’s. For PC presented a desktop application and own browser, which is operating even in countries blocking 1xBET. There an extra opportunity to bet via the Telegram messenger and fully optimized version for mobile browsers.
Bet9ja
Another superior company in the region. For its advantages it should be highlighted followings:
- Exhibits incredible assortment of wagering markets (myriad of games, championships and competitions)
- Superb UX-user interface on both the home page and mobile app
- Sufficient level of money transfer’s speed
- Variety of payment methods
For Disadvantages, the following weighs in:
- Doesn’t operate inside the of Nigeria
- 12-hour limited customer care service
- Absence of live-streaming facility
- Payment options are generally confined to Nigerian-based financial services
Sportsline and Markets
Consists of over 20 most common disciplines with the main focus on soccer. Additionally, betting on politics is listed either. The line for soccer is expanded a little bit, thus, some special outcome are existing.
Presence on other platforms
Bet9ja offers to download and install for free their mobile app, which is subdivided into 2 parts: casino and sportsbook.
It is open to install for free or use an ordinary mobile version, developed for a browser of your smartphone or tablet.
NairaBET
Next one is local giant of gambling — NairaBET. Originally founded by the famous Nigerian influencer Akin Alabi in 2009. It was the first company providing such services in that region. Thus, it known as «home of betting» between the punters.
Pros and Cons
Pluses of that bookie:
- 2 types of odds and they are at copious level
- Coverage of all major sports and special extra events
- Tutorials on the website with useful info
- Spacious promo systems and daily coupons
- Bet suggestions
Under the other conditions, there are also minuses of the bookie:
- Lack of welcome welcome bonuses for recent punters
- Lack of Mobile App
- For all punters is required to have an individual bank account to play
- Limit for only 1 funds withdrawal per day
- No betting on cybersports
Sportsline Coverage
The total number of markets listed is 21. The main impact is paid on soccer, which has the widest line on this discipline. Moreover, it is supplemented by the «special» outcomes of particular event (e.g. «would the Champions League’s Final be Italian»).
Presence on other platforms
It is accessible to download freely on Play Market.
Design and features of the app are completely repeating a pocket version’s for non-Android mobile users.
NaijaBET
NaijaBET is a quite recent player on African gambling area. As the hallmark of the company can be underlined specialization in betting on football, because the bettor has the widest line for these kind of sport. It was founded in 2016 and located in Ado-Ekiti in Nigeria, where the company’s headquarters. They have sufficient quality of odds and extremely quick outputs of funds, so it deserves the attention of a punters. The legal name of the company is «Kreativ Integrated Concepts & Management Limited».
Pros and Cons
Due to pluses of particular bookmaker, it should be highlighted followings:
- Sufficient line for soccer
- Android-mobile App on Play Market available for free
- Rapid money outputs and inputs
Per contra, a several issues should be mentioned and managed by the bookie:
- Pure UX-design of the overall interface
- Lack of the app for Apple-devices
- Line might seem to be quite narrow and the list of disciplines should be extended
Sportsline Coverage
The line including 19 items, most of them are sports games. However, even a politician bets are also existing, as well as exotic disciplines (e.g. surfing, darts)
Presence on other platforms
Naija has their own application developed-for-Android and it seem to be created an iOS-version either as soon as possible.
Once it done, website is totally optimized for a browser of your mobile phone or pad. It just the same as application.
MelBet
One more a giant player is operating in Nigeria. As well as 1xBET it is localization of worldwide bookie company MelBet, which is registered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Juridical name of the company is Pelican Entertainment Ltd and it is providing services under the lisence of Curacao eGaming license. It has localized for more than 40 countries, Nigeria including.
Pros and Cons
It is hardly to comprise MelBet with whole group of bookies in the region, but it should be segmented in 2 parts: comparing with worldwide giants and local pawns.
To the first part we attribute 1xBET, MelBet, PremierBet (it operates only in Africa, but in 16 more countries among Nigeria), to the second — NaijaBET, NairaBET, Bet9ja, SureBet247, etc. Second parts operates less than in 3 countries.
Sportsline Coverage
As a tendency beyond giant worldwide bookies, the line is immense, MelBet isn’t an exception. However, it is still not so wide as 1xBET’s one. It consists of major and minor variety of sports disciplines and some extra one’s. For example, an extra part includes bets on weather, politics, TV-games. There also some «special» one’s, connected with sports, but not entertainment industry at all.
Traditionally, it accomplished by casino-section, fast-games based on slots and pretty unique cybersports section. Why it is an unique — it designed differently and easy-to-navigate UX-interface.
Presence on other platforms
MelBet has got own apk for iPhone-users and Android-users either. They also optimized for pocket-platformed screens. That’s all.
