Best Betting Sites in Nigeria

The betting revolution in Nigeria has been nothing short of remarkable. It came at a time of unprecedented increase in internet coverage and smartphone reach. As of the last count, the industry boasts over 50 betting sites. All betting apps and sitesin Nigeria must have a National Lottery Regulatory Commission license.

Amidst the Nigerian betting sphere expansion and the continuous increase in betting sites, choosing the right betting site became important. No two Nigerian bookies offer the same gambling services and features. Some factors are, however, considered not negotiable when choosing an online bookmaker in Nigeria.

To make your decision easier, we have compiled the creme de la creme of betting sites in Nigeria. We also explore every aspect of their gambling services, including bonuses, betting markets, interface and other features. Let's dive into it.

How We Rank Our List of All Betting Sites in Nigeria

Though most popular betting sites in Nigeria are licensed, not all offer satisfactory betting services. With the increasing number of local online betting and international betting sites in Nigeria, much due diligence may be required before picking one. We believe you would instead want to choose the best of the bunch and start enjoying the best of online betting straight away. For this reason, we test-run the services of major betting sites in Nigeria using a host of important factors. Below are the aspects of online sportsbooks we consider of utmost importance and separate the best from the rest.

Welcome Bonuses and Promotions

Nigerians love freebies. But who doesn't? The top betting sites in Nigeria know how to attract customers, especially new customers, with exciting bonus offers. If you are new to online betting, this offer can go a long way to understanding how betting works and building an efficient strategy. On the other hand, existing customers can enhance their chances of winning with these promotions. Some bonus offers targeted at existing customers include match deposit bonuses, cashback, and free bets.

As good as all that sounds, there are always caveats. Almost all Nigerian betting sites attach T&Cs to their bonuses. Some online betting sites attach strict conditions to their bonuses to stop you from taking out your winnings. Our ranking system first considers Nigerian betting sites with the best welcome bonus and lenient requirements.

Fast Registration Process

The registration process is a good indicator of the type of experience you will have using a Nigerian betting site. Generally speaking, sportsbooks with a fast and easy registration process have a good interface that is easy to navigate for beginners. Most internet users find a registration process with several steps and long forms annoying.

We prefer betting sites where the registration process can be completed with the click of a few buttons. The registration form should be short and require all the essential information such as names, place of residence, date of birth and your preferred login details.

Deposit Methods

Of course, there will be no betting without you making a deposit. We pay huge attention to the deposit payment options available at each betting site before ranking them. There is no point in Nigerian sportsbooks supporting deposit methods that are not readily available to Nigerians. Some deposit methods a betting site targeting the Nigerian audience should accept are bank transfers, debit cards, mobile banking, internet banking, ATM deposits, etc.

An average Nigerian should have no issue funding their betting accounts with any of those payment methods. There is no need to say that these payment methods processed transactions in naira. So, the more Nigerian-friendly deposit methods a betting site provides, the better.

Customer support

Like any online service, avoiding issues wagering on Nigerian bookmaker sites is almost impossible. That makes efficient customer support part of an essential part of onlinesports betting service. Questions and issues are inevitable regardless of how efficient an online bookmaker's services are. For a Naija bookmaker to be worthy of recommendation, it must provide easy ways to contact customer care representatives.

But first, excellent customer service should start with a detailed FAQ. This section of a sportsbook always contains answers to quick questions that customers may have. But you should be able to communicate with customer support via live chat, email, phone support and social media if you can't find the answer in the FAQ section.

Instant/fast withdrawal

For any punter, no moment beats having your winnings in your bank account after a successful bet. However, waiting days before your withdrawal gets processed can be frustrating. We avoid such situations and play at Nigerian betting sites that process our winnings instantly.

We award extra points to betting sites with this desirable feature during our ranking process. In addition to seamlessly making deposits and placing bets, speedy withdrawal is part of a pleasant betting experience. It's worth noting that the payment processors have a time frame for processing your withdrawal.

Odds

Odds determine how profitable your winning bet slip will be. They are calculated based on the likelihood of an event happening. Events most likely to occur have lower odds and pay out smaller winnings. For instance, the odds of Manchester City beating Bournemouth would be far lower compared to Bournemouth winning the match. Any football fan will tell you Man City are clear favorites while Bournemouth are the underdogs.

However, every bookmaker sets their odds for a particular event. They differ slightly from one bookie to another. But this slight difference, especially when you are getting on multiple or accumulators. Therefore, playing at sports betting sites with good odds boosts your profit margin.

Markets Covered

Since a sportsbook will not be worthy of the name without offering a wide range of betting markets, this is one of the essential criteria for rating a sportsbook. Naturally, the richer the sports market covered, the better. Several Nigerian betting sites only offer wagering on selected popular sports. The minimum expected from the top website is to cover almost all the top sports, each with several local and national competitions. As you would have guessed, the more sports and competitions on offer, the more markets you can bet on. Some popular markets include 1x2, Correct Score, Over/Under, Double Chance and many more.

Live Betting

You would want to take advantage of all the opportunities of betting on sports in real time. With live betting, the odds fluctuate depending on the game's current state. Statistics such as the time left in the game, scoreline, disciplinary issues, and others determine if the odds increase or decrease.

The popularity of live betting makes it necessary for bookmakers to add a live-streaming feature to games as they happen. Of course, we wouldn't want to deny you the experience and recommend a betting site with no live betting and live streaming feature.

Number of Sports

The number of sports on offer primarily affects the number of markets available. In addition to football, the most popular sport in Nigeria, a typical betting site features every sports event in other popular sports like Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball and Golf. However, we expect other less popular sports to be available.

Along with the wide range of sports, we look out for the depth of markets available to pick from under every sports event. All these guarantee that you should find thousands of betting opportunitiesunder all the sports combined at any particular time.

Reliability of Betting Sites in Nigeria

Licensing is one of the first things we check whenever we encounter a new Nigerian betting site. The list a betting operator can do to prove its reliability should be to obtain a license from an appropriate authority, in this case, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC). Other regulatory organizations that ensure a safe and fair gaming environment are state-based. Being the most popular and commercial state in Nigeria, operators for the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority.

Other aspects of a bookie's reliability include financial strength, security, responsible gambling features, etc. With all these in place, you can be sure of the safety of your identity and financial details.

Mobile Apps

It is a safe bet that you're reading this guide on your smartphone. Many of us prefer the convenience and on-the-go benefits of online services through mobile devices. Hardly would you find a Nigerian placing bets on their desktop or laptop. Most Nigerian betting companies understand the preference of the Nigerian youths, who make up a considerable percentage of their customers and have mobile app versions of their platform.

Any site without a great mobile app has fallen behind in the competitive Nigerian market. Even the foremost betting sites like Bet9ja have a highly responsive and effective dedicated app. We expect the same from other platforms before ranking them.

Customer Reviews and Complaints

While reading experts' opinions give great insight into the services offered by a betting site, first-hand experience from other users matters a great deal, too. What others say about each aspect of a bookmaker can help you make an informed guess about the operation of a bookmaker.

The ground rule is to avoid any bookie with too many complaints as such is very likely to be unreliable. We carefully go through the customer reviews and complaints and verify that they are not fake before we call any site trustworthy.

Best Betting Sites in Nigeria 2023

Now that we have outlined some of the characteristics of good Nigerian betting sites, it is only proper that we list the best of them. No two betting sites are the same or offer the same services and features. However, each site should tick essential boxes like the ones listed above. Here is our up-to-date list of the best betting sites in Nigeria.

Betway

The international betting company introduced its products to Nigeria in 2018. Since then, Betway Nigeria has become the one-stop platform to enjoy the best of sports betting, esports betting, casino games and others. At any particular time, Nigerian punters have access to over 10,000markets across over 20 sports at great odds. In addition to football, which is the number one sport in Nigeria, other top ones available include

• Tennis
• Basketball
• Table Tennis
• Cricket
• Ice Hockey
• Golf
• Boxing
• American Football
• Cycling
• MMA
• Futsal
• Esports
• And more

In addition to playing on the desktop version or the mobile site, the Betway mobile app, available on Android or iOS, offers the same betting options and features at the click of a button. Love freebies? Make a minimum deposit of ₦100 with a wide range of payment options available to a generous 100% welcome bonus of up to ₦250,000.

1xBet

Though 1Xbet Nigeria started operation later than Nigerian brands like Bet9ja, it took the sportsbook a little time to become one of the best. With the option of picking from over 1000 sports events across 40 different sports, it's easy to see why the best international betting site quickly gains the hearts of Nigerian players. Another attraction is the diverse promotions, including the biggest welcome bonus in Nigeria, a 300% first deposit bonus of up to ₦145,600. You can use features like live streaming and bet constructor to maximize your betting experience on the desktop site and 1xbet app.

Parimatch

Though the Parimatch sportsbook contains events in Basketball, Handball, Tennis, Cricket and American Football, Football makes up most of the betting markets. If you specialize in football betting, Parimatch Nigeria may be for you. The website is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate with no unnecessary enhancements. With that, playing at Parimatch saves you a lot of data compared to others. Betting at Parimatch is even smoother on its dedicated Android app. You qualify for a 120% welcome bonus of up to ₦120,000 when you register at Parimatch.

Betking

BetKing took the Nigerian betting spaceby storm in 2018 with top-tier betting services. Among other reasons, Nigerian sports betting communities on social media often rate the sportsbook high for having some of the highest odds across most sports. It has the making of an international sportsbook with features like live betting, live streaming, in-game cash-out, one-game cut and others.

The unique and beautiful blue and yellow themed website interface will always catch your eye whenever you visit. Download the BetKing app to enjoy the highly optimized version of the betting platform. As a new customer, you can get up to ₦25,000 free bets every week for a month if you make a deposit and qualifying stake.

Bet9ja

As one of the pioneers of online sports betting and the first betting sites to provide Nigerian sweet comprehensive betting services, Bet9ja comes to mind when you mention betting. It is safe to say that bet9ja revolutionized the betting industry in Nigeria. And it continues to be the preferred destination for Nigerian punters. Thanks to its thousands ofbetting markets, juicy bonuses, intuitive website and app, in-play betting and live streaming.

Bet9ja was the first to attract Nigerians to online betting, providing exciting features like Cash Out, One Cut and Multiple Boost. Regarding promotions, new customers also have a juicy welcome bonus to look forward to after making a deposit. By the way, the betting site supports all payment methods Nigerians are familiar with. The safe, seamless and engaging betting experience offered on both the site and the Bet9ja app is hard to beat.

22Bet

Founded in 2017, 22bet ranks among the biggest sportsbooks in the country with over 50 different sports. Like other sportsbooks, football dominates the sportsbook, but other popular sports have fair representation. They include Basketball, Tennis, Ice Hockey, Volleyball, Cricket, Table Tennis, Badminton, Horse Racing, etc. You can enjoy all these betting opportunities, bonuses, great odds and features on the 22bet app, available to Android and iOS users.

To start your betting adventure on 22bet, make your first deposit of at least ₦850 to qualify for the 100% welcome bonus. The bonus affords you the chance of getting a reward of up to ₦105,000. Features like In-Play betting, Cashout, Bet Boost, and other makes betting on 22bet more engaging and fun.

Betwinner

In terms of popularity in the Nigerian betting market, BetWinner lags behind a few brands. You couldn't help but wonder why after placing bets on the betting sites. The sports section is well stocked with football markets. The betting opportunities in the other popular sports are very decent. Its collection of bonuses beats the other more popular bookies, starting with a 200% bonus of up to ₦100,000. Activate the offer with a deposit of just ₦400.

The website interface didn't stand out and moving around the site could have been smoother. However, navigating the mobile version and the dedicated mobile app, available on Android and iOS devices, is hitch-free and smooth.

Wazobet

Wazobet is one of the fastest-growing Nigerian sites. The first part of the name 'Wazo' is street slang for ₦50. The platform accepts bets as low as that. Licensed both by the Curacao and the Lagos State Lottery Board to operate in Nigeria, both your funds and personal information are secure. The betting markets consist of 25 sports and over 300 major leagues and cups for football alone.

Depositing at Wazobet should pose no problem. All the payment methods commonly used by Nigerians are supported with no extra fee. You are eligible for a 110% bonus of up to ₦50,000 when you make your first deposit with any of those payment methods. Wazobet has everything that makes an excellent online sports betting platform.

How to bet on a betting site in Nigeria

Placing your first bet requires no previous experience or knowledge. However, we aim to make the whole process a walk in the park. That is why we outline all the steps to place your first bet successfully at betting sites operating in Nigeria. If you get confused, you can always return to this guide to trace your steps.

Step 1 – Choose Your Site

To choose a betting site may be tricky because all the bookies in Nigeria we recommend provide top-tier gambling services. We suggest that you don't dwell on it as you can't go wrong picking any of them. With that said, it is best that you go for the one with the feature or service that appeals to you the most. For instance, if making the most of the welcome bonus tops the list of your preferences, then go for a Nigerian bookie with a significant bonus and fair requirements.

Step 2 – Make Your Deposit

Once you're settled for a brand and registered, your next step would be to fund your new betting account. Thankfully, depositing on most Nigerian sites is entirely hassle-free. Standard methods include bank transfer, debit card, USSD, Opay, Quickteller, ATM, or via Agent.

Step 3 – Choose Your Event

Scroll down the list of ongoing and upcoming major sports events on the homepage of the betting sites. If you can't find the game, check the sports list on the left side of the home page. Click on your preferred sports to reveal the competitions, tournaments and leagues under the sport. Select a competition or league and all the matches under will be displayed.

For instance, if you plan to bet on an EPL match between Arsenal and Chelsea, click on football. And then select the Premier League for all the upcoming matches. Navigate to "Arsenal vs. Chelsea" and click on your prediction.

Step 4 – Choose Your Bet

If you are betting on a single event, simply follow the above steps to choose your bet. You can also pick more than one outcome under a single bet, known as multiple or accumulator. With that, you get to win more money. Follow the same process and your selected predictions will be added to your bet slip as you pick them.

Step 5 – Choose Your Stake and Place Your Bet

At this point, you have done all the work. You only need to open the bet slip created for you. Enter your desired stake, a minimum of ₦100 and click 'Place Bet' to submit.

Betting Sites in Nigeria with Best Bonus

Besides offering good betting services, betting sites in the country attract new customers and keep existing ones with bonuses and promotions. And what's not to love about bonuses? You get a head start when trying out the new betting site with them. Below are the best bonuses you can get from sportsbooks in Nigeria.

The Best Football Betting Sites for Nigerian Players

Nigerians are passionate about their football. There is no prize for guessing which sports they bet on the most. As a Nigerian, it is understandable if you are searching for bookmakers with the best football market. We outlined the best football betting sites in Nigeria below.

Betway

As expected from an international betting site, Betway has a great selection of markets across all top football leagues and competitions. Top leagues such as the English Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, MLS and others are represented.

1xbet

1xbet is one of the best bookmakers in the world. Even the most demanding Nigerian punter will find something to bet on from the thousands of daily football betting opportunities.

Bet9ja

Bet9ja was created to provide an avenue for Nigerian punters to bet on football and make money from their passions. It is known by many as the best betting site for football Therefore, you can only expect the best of football markets with the best odds on the platform.

22bet

From top European leagues in the UK, Spain, Italy and so on to minor leagues across Europe and Africa, 22bet has them all. You will be most impressed with each event's number of wagering options. The filter function makes choosing your preferred bets easier.

BetKing

Nigerian bettors would expect the best football betting experience from a brand that made the legendary Jay Jay Okocha its ambassador. The betting site is living up to the hype and expectations as one of the best betting platforms, offering markets top football leagues, competitions, and obscure ones.

Payment Methods Available to Punters in Nigeria

Unlike a few years ago, before bookmakers started tailoring their services to Nigerians, funding betting accounts is no longer an issue. From traditional banking methods to mobile banking, you are spoilt for choice when choosing a funding method. Also, all payments are processed in naira so you won't be paying a conversion fee.

Visa and MasterCard

Almost all Nigerians have a debit card linked to their bank accounts. The Nigerian bank often issued either MasterCard or Visa. Due to this, card payments rank among the most common deposit methods used by Nigerians at betting sites. To use, enter your card number CVV and pin on the deposit page of a trusted bookmaker. OTP to complete the transaction will be sent to your phone or email for extra security.

Opay

Opay is the rave of the moment in Nigeria. Almost all Nigerian sportsbooks accept payments from this platform. Opay app appeals to Nigerian punters specifically for its zero charges and instant processing. You may even get up to a 10% discount for using the service to fund certain betting accounts. All you need to deposit is to enter your betting user ID, name and amount on the Opay app.

Quickteller

Many regard Quickteller as the safest payment method in Nigeria. However, only bettors who don't mind paying a fee of between ₦25 and ₦100, depending on the bookmaker, use this service. If you also don't mind, follow the steps below

• click on the Quickteller icon on the deposit page of your chosen bookie.
• Enter all the required information, such as email, user ID and the amount to be deposited.
• Complete payment with your bank card or use a QR code and scan with your mobile banking.

Alternatively, use the Quickteller site or app and follow the prompt.

Betting Sites with Fast and Easy Deposits

Thanks to improvements in the payment technologies used in the country, bookmakers worth their salts will process your deposit instantly. However, the steps that are needed differ from one site to another. We paid close attention to how easy it is to navigate to the deposit page and how fast your accounts get credited. Bet9ja beats the likes of 1xbet, BetKing and Betway marginally.

New Betting Companies & Free Betting Sites

The growing Nigerian betting industry keeps welcoming new operators every year. They often come with a unique selling point to get your attention. As a punter, you will likely find the best value when playing at a fledgling bookmaker.

An excellent example of new betting sites in Nigeria is N1bet, which started operation in 2021. With competitive odds and vast markets, the operator wows punters with its vibrant website and app. Another different betting site making waves is Frapapa. It also hooked players with its light yet great-looking mobile site and app. In addition to a site that is pleasing to behold, the sports market is one of the very best and the odds are attractive.

Lastly, Paripesa is another relatively new entrance that has taken the Nigerian betting scene by storm. Since it started in 2021, the brand has stormed the industry with unrivaled slick gameplay and top-rated betting features. All these platforms and others like bet9ja, 1Xbet, Betwinner, Betway and BetKing provide free bets or bonuses for you to play for free.

Online Betting in Nigeria

Betting on sports is becoming increasingly popular among Nigerians, especially football lovers. Even with a ready-made market, the bookies do their bit to attract customers by providing top-notch services and bonuses. The revolution, spearheaded by Nairabet, started with local operators in 2009, but international brands are trooping in to pick their market share. As the market continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, it will be best for the operators to take responsible gambling campaigns seriously and provide helpful features. Every Nigerian punter should know the right and wrong ways to approach betting online.

Is it legal to bet online in Nigeria?

There are no laws against betting in Nigeria. Ensure your chosen betting site holds a license from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission or a state regulator like the Oyo State Gaming Board. There are plenty of licensed and legal bookmakers for you to choose from. It is important to note that gambling is prohibited for anyone under 18.

Is it safe to bet online in Nigeria?

Besides having a license from a respected Nigerian jurisdiction, online bookmakers must put different betting control measures in place to be considered safe. Features to make betting online in Nigeria safe include robust encryption technology, responsible gaming features, two-factor authentication, etc.

FAQ

Below are some questions you may have before using a betting site in Nigeria.

Which is the best betting site in Nigeria?

The answer to the question is subjective and depends on individual preferences. A good number of Nigerian bettors regard Bet9ja as the best. By

Which betting site can I deposit with airtime?

Funding your betting account with airtime may sound foreign in the online betting industry, but it is possible. Several Nigerian betting sites accept airtime as a deposit method, but 1xBet and BetPawa are the most popular. You can deposit on BetPawa Nigeria using MTN Airtime.

Which betting site can I deposit with Airtel airtime?

Top betting sites with international reputations, such as Betway, 1xBet and 22bet, let you fund your betting account easily with Airtel airtime. This option is not only smooth but also safe.

Which betting site can I deposit with Opay?

Since Opay has grown to become a popular payment method for all classes of people in Nigeria, many betting sites now accept it. Head to the payment page of your betting site and click on the Opay icon. The process should be straightforward if you follow the prompts.

Which betting site has the highest odds in Nigeria?

When it comes to picking the best site with the highest odds in Nigeria, there is no clear winner. Bookies like BetKing, Bet9ja, 1хBet and BetWinner are all worthy of the title.

Which betting site can I deposit with MTN airtime?

If you are an MTN user in Nigeria, you can deposit at BetPawa. Go to the deposit section and choose 'MTN airtime deposit.' Enter all the required information and fund your account instantly.