Nigeria is one of the African countries where betting fans can place stakes legally. The industry is regulated by the local authorities that provide licenses and complete data protection to the users. Some popular betting companies were initially launched in Nigeria and are supported by the government.
Their primary target audience is African punters, so they adjust their services and offers specific to their needs. Due to many active online betting websites, players have enough freedom to choose where to spend their funds.
Available Gambling Types in Nigeria
Nigeria provides its punters with several gambling options. Players are allowed to make stakes in different sporting events, from classical and loved soccer to rare variants, like eSports, futsal, or cricket. Overall, Nigerians can bet on the following activities:
- Sports betting
- Lottery
- Online casino entertainment
- Online gambling
Each player can register online on the preferred platform and receive access to its offers. Some bookies create their websites specifically for football or tennis fans, while others prefer to diversify their options by offering punters numerous sports and markets.
Nigerian Gambling Laws
Nigerian residents are allowed to gamble online when they are 18 years old. However, if they wish to join any land-based casinos, they must wait two more years because, in that case, the legal age is 20. It is necessary to mention that the first Nigerian gambling laws were issued long ago, in the sixties.
Today all the gambling laws are contained in the Criminal Code Act of 1990. It has been amended a couple of times since. Firstly in 2006 and secondly in 2018. By including additional information, the Code now has a broader pool of activities that can legally be considered gambling. However, local regulators should always license any form of gambling. The only exception is the lottery which does not require any licensing.
Regulators & Licensing
Since the Criminal Code of Nigeria obliges any organization that provides gambling services in the country to obtain a license, local punters have many legitimate choices. Any Nigerian player can join an online platform and place bets on sports if the company has a license from any of the two primary regulators
- LSLB, which stands for Lagos State Lottery Board
- NLRC, which is National Lottery Regulatory Commission
The government tries to eliminate unlicensed organizations through imprisonment for at least two years and high fines. Before you choose a website to gamble on, look for the necessary license, besides local betting companies, players can have access to some off-shore organizations.
How to Choose a Reliable Betting Platform in Nigeria
It is quite a challenging task since many betting and gambling providers function in Nigeria. Actually, some tips can help you understand what aspects to focus on when searching, for example, for the best football betting site in Nigeria:
- Check for the license. Usually, companies place it in the footer of the page. If there was none, apply to the support so that they can send you the number.
- Look through payment methods. If a bookie collaborates with world-famous or local financial organizations, it is a pinch of evidence of its reliability.
- See feedback from other punters. To understand its pros and cons, sometimes it is better to see the experience of other players.
Many betting websites provide a really impressive set of sports and markets. However, do not let them fool you. If you see something suspicious, like a lack of license, weird payment methods, and questionable support, you better avoid this place.
Tips for Successful Sports Betting in Nigeria
Newbies often need clarification on the number of options local Nigerian bookies offer. Pro bettors appreciate the diversity of sports, betting types, and markets. They understand how to wager with better odds and high chances of winning. Here is a must-know list for new inexperienced players to help them succeed during their betting sessions:
- Do research. Check the statistics or, even better, live statistics. It will show you the tendency of a particular team and players.
- Choose live streams and betting over pre-match. Live streaming allows you to receive a better insight into the game and make better predictions.
- Get to learn how to make a multi-bet or an Acca bet. Single stakes won’t bring you much profit because they have relatively low odds. To increase the odds, professionals make several selections and place them as one bet.
These are not all the wise tips because you can find more by reading and watching pro bettors and experts in the industry.
Responsible Gambling for Nigerians
Ludomania is a world mental disease. Many people daily suffer from addiction, and that is the reason many gambling companies, including the ones operating in Nigeria, strive to protect their punters from it. Some popular companies, like BeGambleAware, cooperate with betting platforms and provide their contacts, so players can apply directly to these organizations in case they notice any symptoms. The contacts are usually placed in the betting websites’ footer or a special menu section. In case you found none, ask the support to assist you.
FAQs About Legal Sports Betting in Nigeria
How to register on the betting website in Nigeria?
Some gambling websites offer players to register via their official website, mobile version, or an app.
What types of bonuses do Nigerian players get?
Nigerians can receive many bonus rewards, including welcome deals, regular special promos, and first deposit bonuses. The precise set of offers depends on the particular bookmaker.
Can I bet via my smartphone?
Some betting companies provide convenient applications or a mobile version of the website, so punters can simply wager via their portable devices. Also, some bookies allow SMS betting, which is even more comfortable and can be placed without an Internet connection.
How to choose a trustworthy online betting website?
Focus on the aspects like licensing, payment options, and range of sports. In some cases, it is better to look through the active punters’ feedback to get a whole view of the betting resource.
How fast can I receive my winnings in Nigeria?
That depends on the payment option and the bookmaker. In the vast majority of cases, the deposits are instant, but the withdrawals may take about 24 hours to receive.
