Betting Sites in Nigeria

Sports betting has always been a favored pastime for millions of Nigerians. The country is home to some of the most passionate sports fans on the planet, and a huge majority of them love to express their passion through sports bets.

This has led to an influx of online betting sites in the country, and while many might offer you the basic sportsbook experience, you can only get the full package when you play at the best betting sites because the best is exactly what you deserve. That’s why our team of experienced online betting professionals have searched the Nigerian gaming space in search of the best bookmakers for you. We’ll share them with you in this guide as well as some new gems you might want to keep on your watchlist.

List of Best Betting Sites in Nigeria

The top bookmakers in the country have offered Nigerians safe and affordable online platforms.

Nigerians love betting because it adds excitement to watching matches and provides the chance to win big money. The rising popularity of sports betting in Nigeria has led to many safe, secure and reliable online bookmakers. Punters should compare bonuses and odds as they choose the best bookie that meets their needs. The top sites like Bet9ja, BetKing and Nairabet provide excellent services focused on the Nigerian market.

Key factors Nigerian punters consider include local licenses, competitive odds, banking options, bonuses and a smooth mobile experience.

1xBet Nigeria

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1xBet is undeniably one of the most popular sportsbooks in Nigeria. The brand has been active in the European market for several years but dipped its toes into the Nigerian gaming waters in 2019, obtaining a license( No. 1260761) from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

1xbet has also partnered with several major sports teams, including Paris Saint-German, Barcelona, and Lille. They are also proud sponsors of the Italian Serie A and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Thanks to their partnership with popular Nigerian artist Davido, new players can receive a 300% match bonus up to 145,600 NGN when they register at 1xbet.

Regular bettors can also enjoy a host of other offers, including a daily 30% cashback on deposits with MoneyGo, weekend boosters, VIP incentives, and even birthday rewards. But promotions are far from being the only thing you stand to experience at 1xbet. The bookmaker boasts one of the most extensive sportsbooks in the country, with betting odds and markets across different sports leagues from around the globe.

As you’d expect from a Nigerian bookmaker, football leads the way at 1xbet. From the highs of the English Premier League to the modest displays in the Vietnam U21 Championships, you can get all the action at 1xbet. Both pre-match and live markets are available for these events, and occasionally, you can watch live broadcasts on your PC or mobile device. The bookmaker even has an app for Android and iPhone users.

22Bet Nigeria

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22bet is another popular sportsbook in the Nigerian sports betting space and one that entered the scene in 2017. In a bid to gain the trust of players, the bookmaker holds licenses from multiple Nigerian gaming boards, including the National Lottery Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Nigeria, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, and Oyo State Gaming Board.

22bet has also scored some major partnerships to build brand trust, most notably with former Arsenal and Manchester City star Emmanuel Adebayor. You can register an account today to claim the 100% match bonus up to 207,500 NGN to get started. Subsequently, you can enjoy rewards like the 170% Friday reload bonus up to 170,000 NGN, weekly rebate deal, and accumulator of the day.

The betting site also has an impressive sports library filled with football, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, table tennis, cricket, and American football markets, among others. You can also find popular esports markets and enjoy casino games like Aviator, blackjack, video poker, and roulette. All these and more are available on both the iOS and Android mobile applications.

Melbet Nigeria

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Melbet has been active in the international online betting space for quite some time now and recently launched its Nigerian site. While the platform is yet to obtain a local license, you can trust its strong reputation, partnership with major sports teams like Juventus, and Curacao Gaming Control Board certification.

Melbet is also one of the top betting companies in Nigeria with multiple ongoing promotions for regular players. After claiming the 100% up to 100,000 NGN reward for a new sign-up, you stand to benefit from other rewards like the lucky Friday 30% reload bonus, multi-bet cashback, multi-bet boost promo, and Melbet birthday bonus

If you’re one of those punters who enjoy gaming on mobile apps, you’ll be happy to know that Melbet has a dedicated app for Android and iOS users. The app gives you access to thousands of pre-match and live events from major and lesser-known sports leagues anywhere in the world.

Betwinner Nigeria

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Betwinner was one of the first sportsbooks to switch to online sports betting and has been around for well over two decades. Using that wealth of experience, the platform made its debut in the Nigerian sports betting industry in early 2019 after obtaining a license from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Nigeria.

The bookmaker currently sponsors FC Karpaty Lviv from the Ukrainian Premier League and welcomes new Nigerian bettors with a 200% match bonus of up to 100,000 NGN. These players can also enjoy special reload bonuses every Monday and Thursday, plus a host of other cashbacks and odds boost promos to keep them going.

Another reason why Betwinner is one of the top platforms for online sports betting in Nigeria is the range of sports they cover. We are not kidding when we say you can find almost any sports league in the world on the Betwinner site. It’s even more impressive when you browse through the football section and view betting options from Thailand, Uganda, and other less popular leagues. Betwinner also provides occasional livestreams for some of these events, and they are available on both site and dedicated mobile apps.

Paripesa Nigeria

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When discussing the top online platforms to place a bet in Nigeria, Paripesa is not a name that comes up often, and this is hardly surprising, given that they recently launched in the country. With a license from the Oyo State Gaming Board, Paripesa is slowly capturing the hearts of many Nigerians with its range of features, which include bet insurance, bet builder, multi live, live stats, and bet edit.

The bookmaker also has a decent range of promotions that start with the 100% match bonus up to 150,000 NGN for new players and continue on to the 3% weekly cashback reward, regular free bets, and the double your Saturday deposit bonus. With these bonus funds and modern features, you can enjoy different types of bets on football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and a dozen other sports.

Paripesa has also made it easy to deposit and collect winnings with a small but reliable selection of payment options. The sportsbooks’ full features can be accessed on any device with a modern web browser and access to the internet, you can even download the Paripesa apps for a much more personal experience.

Sportybet Nigeria

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Sportybet is undoubtedly one of the leading bookmakers in Nigeria. The platform has become really popular among the country's young betting population, and it’s all down to its unique approach to mobile gaming. The Sportybet app is one of the most downloaded mobile betting apps in Nigeria, with many applauding its smooth UI, easy navigation, and modern features like Bet Flex, jackpot, live streaming, and cash out.

Sportybet is also a low deposit and withdrawal casino, allowing you to make transactions as low as 100 NGN in under a few minutes. The bookmaker is licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and has been in the game since 2007. Whether you’re looking to bet on the outright winner of an event or follow the action as it unfolds live, Sportybet is exactly the place to do that. You can enjoy these prematch and live odds on 20+ sports, including eSports and martial arts.

The sportsbook proudly partners with major European clubs Real Madrid and Manchester City, as well as former Chelsea midfielder Micheal Essien.

BetKing Nigeria

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BetKing is a Nigerian-owned bookmaker that launched in early 2018 with licenses from the Lagos State Lotteries Board and Anambra State Gaming Company. Nigerian football legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha is the brand's biggest ambassador and has led the bookmaker to become a major player in the country's online and physical betting scenes.

The bookmaker doesn’t offer a traditional welcome bonus, but you can lots of free bets from cash backs on your first deposits and wagers. There’s also the 300% accumulator bonus and the royal cashback promo. BetKing’s biggest selling point is its robust sports library. You can over 600,000 football betting options, 50,000+ tennis options, countless number of markets and odds across a wide range of sports and competitions.

The bookmaker is also dedicated to serving mobile players and has mobile applications, a mobile version of the site, a mobile lite version, and an old mobile version for an even simpler experience. You can also make deposits and withdrawals in under ten minutes using 10+ payment options.

Betano Nigeria

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Betano entered the Nigerian betting space in 2018 with a license from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. They renewed that license on March 24, 2023, and you can find the license number 0001085 on both the NLRC website and the Betano homepage. The sportsbook proudly partners with multiple European clubs, including FC Porto, Aston Villa, Sporting CP, Benfica, FC Basel, and many others. It was also the official betting sponsor of the recently concluded Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024.

Betano is known for its generosity and offers new players a 100% match bonus of up to 200,000 NGN. These players can also enjoy other offers like the Betano Monday free bet bonus, Accumulator Boost, Accumulator Insurance, and the 2 Goals/Points ahead promo available for different sports.

Football fans will enjoy this sportsbook the most, as we found betting options from 100+ countries. Basically, any football competition you can think of is available in this bookmaker, and the odds are fantastic with very low margins. This variety of options also extends to other sports like tennis, basketball, volleyball, and martial arts. Betano is one of the few bookmakers in the country that offers you the opportunity to bet on political elections and entertainment awards.

Bet9ja Nigeria

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Bet9ja is one of the pioneers of sports betting in Nigeria. Among all the betting sites in the country we listed in this guide, it has the most visitors and active bettors. The brand initially started out by opening physical shops in multiple locations around the country before deciding to launch its online platform. Bet9ja is backed with licenses from the Lagos and Osun state governments and is currently the official sponsor of the Nigerian Professional Football League.

Due to its high reputation, Bet9a is widely regarded as the best betting site in Nigeria. However, that’s far from the only reason the sportsbook is well respected. It offers top betting odds and markets for almost all world-recognized sports. There’s also the Cut 1 promo for fans of accumulator bets and the 170% multibet boost for all regular players.

Betway Nigeria

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Only a few sportsbooks in the world can boast of Betway’s reputation in the gaming industry. The brand made its debut in 2006 and has gone on to establish itself in different regions around the world, including Nigeria. To mark its status as an industry giant, Betway has scored partnerships with a wide range of sports clubs, including Cleveland Cavaliers, Deportivo Alaves, Express FC, West Ham Utd, Celta Vigo RC, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, LA Clippers, and Levante.

When it comes to sports betting online, Betway offers 50+ football leagues plus other major competitions, the main tennis Grand Slams and events from the WTA and ATP tours, popular basketball leagues like the NBA, EuroLeague, WNBA, France LNB Pro A, and NCAAB, and also esports events. Betway also has the popular Lucky Numbers feature that gives you access to 3,000+ lotteries from around the world.

Promotions-wise, Betway really isn’t the best, as they offer no welcome bonus to new players. Nevertheless, you can still partake in the win boost promo and enjoy a 250% boost on your multi-bet winnings. There’s also the free play Friday bonus, where you can get rewarded with random free spins, free bets, and cash bonuses.

Ranking the Best Betting Sites in Nigeria

Here are a few key ways our experts typically rank and evaluate online bookmakers:

• Odds and lines - Experts look at the odds and lines offered by the site across different sports. Sites that consistently offer competitive odds and early lines are ranked higher.
• Betting markets - The variety of betting markets offered is important. Sites with more betting options across sports and types of bets are preferred.
• Bonuses and promotions - Experts look for sites with generous signup bonuses and ongoing reload/promotional offers for bettors. Better bonus offers can increase overall value.
• Reputation and reliability - Bettors favor established sites with a solid reputation for fast payouts, security, and customer service. Newer sites have more to prove in this area.
• Usability and features - The interface, ease of use, and unique features like cash-out options or bet builders are evaluated. Slicker and more feature-rich sites tend to rank higher.
• Mobile experience - With so much betting happening on phones, a smooth and full-featured mobile app is a must. Easy navigation and responsiveness on mobile are priorities.
• Banking options - Numerous banking methods, fast deposits/withdrawals, and low fees help a site's ranking. More payment options and better banking policies are favored.
• Customer service - Experts look at the accessibility and quality of customer support through channels like live chat, phone, email, and social media. More responsive sites rank better.
• Regulation and legality - Experts heavily favor sites that are licensed and regulated in jurisdictions known for stringent oversight. Offshore and unregulated sites are viewed less favorably.

New Betting Sites in Nigeria

Looking to check out some new betting sites in Nigeria and take advantage of some amazing offers, here are the top new bookmakers for you.

• Betano
• Paripesa
• 22Bet
• Betway

Key points on the legality of sports betting in Nigeria

The Lagos State Lotteries Board and National Lottery Regulatory Commission oversee licensing and regulation of sports betting sites operating in Nigeria.

Licensed online sports betting sites that meet regulatory requirements are legal in most Nigerian states. Top sites are approved to operate across Nigeria. However, some Northern Nigerian states prohibit betting due to Sharia law. Betting shops and activities are banned in those states.

The law requires online bookmakers to verify users are 18+ before allowing them to deposit and bet. Sites must meet responsible gambling obligations.

Football betting makes up over 60% of Nigeria's sports betting market. Betting markets are available for major European leagues, tennis, basketball and other sports.

While illegal offline betting still occurs, most bettors use the many licensed sites available. Best bookmakers operate legally with proper licensing.

Taxes from licensed gaming companies provides revenue for Nigeria's government budget. The industry is seen as supporting economic growth.

History of sports betting in Nigeria

Sports betting first emerged in the 1960s and 1970s through offline betting shops run by National Sports Lottery and pools companies like Football Pools Panel. These betting shops let Nigerians wager on football matches by filling out betting slips to predict results. This was the only legal betting option at the time.

In the 1980s and 1990s, sports betting grew in popularity especially for football leagues. Unofficial street bookies began taking bets illegally.

The first online bookmakers started emerging in the early 2000s, pioneering sports betting.

In 2005, the National Lottery Act legalized gambling including sports betting sites that obtain proper licenses. This enabled growth.

More bookmakers like Nairabet and Bet9ja launched, focusing on the Nigerian market with local banking options. Mobile betting gave further growth.

Today, over 60 licensed sports betting sites are active in Nigeria, generating over 30 billion Naira annually in wagers. The industry provides jobs and tax revenue.

So in summary, sports betting has gradually evolved from offline shops in the 20th century to become a massive digital industry in Nigeria today, driven by legalization and mobile betting access. It continues to expand as more Nigerians make online wagers.

What sports are popular in Nigeria?

The most popular sports for betting in Nigeria are:

Football - By far the most popular sport to bet on. Betting on leagues like English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A and UEFA competitions like Champions League generates huge betting volume. Local leagues like Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) also see betting action.

• Basketball - Nigerian punters enjoy wagering on NBA games and major European basketball leagues. International competitions like FIBA World Cup also draw bets.
• Tennis - Sportsbooks offer a wide variety of betting markets on tennis Grand Slams, ATP/WTA tours, and major events like Wimbledon and French Open.
• Boxing - High profile boxing and MMA events generate betting buzz, especially heavyweight bouts featuring the likes of Anthony Joshua.
• Ice Hockey - International hockey leagues like NHL, KHL, SHL enjoy decent betting interest during seasons.
• Baseball - Leagues like MLB in the US and NPB in Japan have betting lines at Nigerian bookmakers.
• Motorsports - Formula 1, NASCAR and MotoGP races allow bets on race winners, podium finishes, fastest laps etc.

Football dominates but punters bet on a diverse range of sports. Betting markets exist for cricket, rugby, handball, volleyball and even politics, entertainment or celebrity events that draw public interest.

Mobile Betting in Nigeria

Mobile betting has exploded in Nigeria in recent years, with over 60% of sports bets now placed via smartphones.

All major online betting sites offer iOS and Android apps for punters, optimized for mobile networks.

Bet9ja's mobile app is the most downloaded, but other top sites like Nairabet, BetKing, Betway also have high quality apps.

Apps provide convenience through features like one-click betting, mobile banking, live streams, cash out options.

Sites are shifting focus to mobile, with some like Betway phasing out desktop sites entirely.

Mobile betting apps only require a data connection, allowing Nigerians to bet anywhere anytime.

USSD betting via texting shortcodes is also widely used, especially by feature phone users on networks like MTN.

Affordable data costs by telecom providers like Glo and Airtel has enabled mobile betting growth.

Experts predict over 70% of bets will be mobile by 2025 as smartphone penetration continues rising.

In summary, mobile apps and sites designed for small screens have been a game changer for sports betting in Nigeria. The ability to bet with just a phone has made wagering quick and accessible across the country.

Reasons for the popularity of mobile betting

• High smartphone penetration - Over 50 million Nigerians now own smartphones, growing mobile betting access.
• Fast mobile networks - High-speed 3G/4G data networks provided by telecoms like MTN, Glo and Airtel enable seamless mobile betting.
• Convenience - Apps allow instant access to odds and the ability to bet anytime, anywhere in just clicks.
• User experience - Sites are optimized for Nigerian mobile users with betting features, payment options tailored for phones.
• Bonuses - Bookies offer mobile-exclusive promotions like free bets, bonuses to attract mobile users.
• Live betting - Apps enable bettors to capitalize on in-game odds changes by betting live on matches.
• Deposits/Withdrawals - Seamless mobile banking integration lets users deposit and withdraw winnings securely on apps.
• Customer support - Live chat and call-back services help users directly from their phones.

The convenience, interactivity and accessibility of mobile betting perfectly suits the needs of tech-savvy Nigerian punters. The ability to bet anytime, anywhere within apps has made mobile the preferred platform.

Popular payment systems used in Nigeria

Here are some of the most popular payment and deposit methods used at online betting sites in Nigeria:

• Debit/Credit Cards - Major cards like Visa, Mastercard and Verve are widely accepted at bookmakers for making deposits.
• Bank Transfers - Sites allow direct bank transfers from Nigerian banks like GTBank, Access Bank and Zenith Bank. Transfers are usually free of charge.
• USSD/SMS Payments - Bettors can deposit using pay-by-phone services from telecoms like MTN and Airtel through text messages.
• eWallets - Digital wallets like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller are commonly used for deposits and withdrawals at many bookmakers. Minimums are low.
• Mobile Money - Local fintech like OPay, PalmPay and Paycom allow bettors to deposit directly from mobile phones instantly.
• Betting Shop Agents - Physical agency shops help facilitate cash deposits and account funding on behalf of users.
• Prepaid Vouchers - Some sites accept prepaid vouchers purchased from stores to add funds to an account.
• Cryptocurrency - A few bookies are starting to accept deposits in crypto like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin.

Debit cards, bank transfers and mobile money tend to be the most popular online deposit methods while cash deposits via agents remain common for offline bettors in Nigeria.

FAQ

Is sports betting in Nigeria legal?

Yes, sports betting is legal across most of Nigeria.

What are the bookies with the best mobile app?

Here are some of the bookmakers with the best mobile apps for betting: Bet9ja, BetKing, Betway, SportyBet, 22Bet.

The top apps make registration, depositing, betting, and withdrawing fast and straightforward from a mobile device. Choosing a legal, regulated site with a locally optimized app is advised.

Which betting site has the lowest minimum deposit?

The minimum you can deposit at most Nigerian bookmakers is 100 NGN, and you can experience these at all our reviewed sites like Betwinner, Bet9ja, BetKing, and Sportybet.

Which bookies have the fastest withdrawals?

SportyBet and 1xbet offer the fastest withdrawal times in the Nigerian sports betting scene. Using payment options like Opay and bank transfer, you can receive your winnings in just under five minutes.

How to identify legitimate new betting sites in Nigeria?

Identifying legitimate new bookmakers in Nigeria is very easy. All you need to do is visit the sportsbook's official platform, scroll down to the bottom of the homepage, and look for license information. You can also read reviews from other players and experts like ourselves.

Can I use cryptocurrencies on best gambling sites in Nigeria?

Yes, some of the best gambling sites in Nigeria allow payments using cryptocurrency. The most notable of them all is 1xbet. The platform supports over a dozen tokens, but there are T&Cs you must read before proceeding.