Top 10 bookmakers of Nigeria
Top 10 Bookmakers of Nigeria
Last modified: June 7, 2021
Imagine how strongly the bookmaker business has developed — even in African countries there are now full-fledged sites of local bookmakers. And if earlier there were many fraudulent companies among them, today we see large players with a normal line and various types of bets.
The sports betting industry in Nigeria has shown tremendous growth in recent years. Three key factors play a role in this: economic growth (the largest in Africa and one of the top 20 in the world), population (190 million people), and the loyalty of the authorities. The development of technology shows people are ready to switch from offline to online betting.
Before diving into the ranking, we will tell you about the history of betting in this country and other useful information. In our ranking you will find everything that players need to know when working with African bookmakers.
Top Bookmakers Rating
| # | Bookmaker | Bonus | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1xBet | 100,000 ₦ | 5 |
| 2 | NairaBET | 100,000 ₦ | 1 |
| 3 | Pin-Up Bet | 100,000 ₦ | 2 |
| 4 | Bet9ja | 10,000 ₦ | 2 |
| 5 | NetBet Nigeria | 100,000 ₦ | 1 |
| 6 | 22Bet | 50,000 ₦ | 2 |
| 7 | BetWinner | 100,000 ₦ | 1 |
| 8 | Melbet | 100,000 ₦ | 1 |
History of betting in Nigeria
The basic rules for regulating betting in the country were established by the Criminal Code in 1990. Some changes were made in 2004. According to the laws of Nigeria, only those types of gambling are allowed the result of which depends on the skills and knowledge of users, and not only on luck.
Therefore, sports betting has received the green light. This market can be developed through land-based dealerships and online.
The main regulator is the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. It exercises control over all types of sports betting.
Operators need to go through the appropriate licensing procedure to obtain “permission to organize sports lotteries.”
In addition, the Lagos State Lottery Council may decide on the issuance of a license. Only it can issue a permit for running a gambling business via the Internet. Interestingly, there is no mention of legality/illegality of online gambling in federal laws — but the Licensing Council does exist.
The first fully legal bookmaker office appeared in Nigeria in 2007. At the moment, more than 100 licenses have been issued by state regulators. In 2017, the Commission warned market participants about the need to renew licenses, confirming compliance with the requirements.
Rules for selecting top bookmakers in Nigeria
There are not very many full-fledged bookmakers in Nigeria. But there are a lot of scammers who regularly defraud people. To prevent this from happening, special attention was paid to security, and all companies involved in bookmaker scandals were excluded from the list.
In addition to reliability, the following factors were also considered:
- Site functionality and performance
- BC (betting company) overall feature set
- Line width and payouts to players
- The ability to play in different currencies and the availability of several language versions
Featured Bookmakers
1xBet is perhaps the biggest player in the African market. This office offers a large number of betting options on sports events taking place all over the world. Betting points are mostly transacted through online platforms, resulting in a minimum of paperwork for all stakeholders, and the betting experience is smooth and efficient.
Other bookmakers in Nigeria worth your attention include both local offices and European/British companies:
- Bet9ja
- Merrybet
- goldenbetsng
- BetPawa
- mybet
- nigeriabet
- Forzza
- nairastake
- Karamba
- Bet365
Many of the listed companies operate not only in Africa but also in other countries of the world. They have official licenses, which speaks to the reliability of cooperation and payment guarantees. Visiting any of these sites, you will find excellent service, quality services, and very favourable conditions for players.
How to choose a good bookmaker in Nigeria?
Each player has their own individual preferences, based on which they choose a bookmaker company. For example, some love to bet on football, while others look for unusual competitions such as darts or eSports. However, there are several general rules to follow when choosing a good operator.
What should a beginner pay attention to?
1. Legality of the company. All legal bookmakers make contributions to the insurance fund and in the event of bankruptcy, the money will be returned to the players in full.
2. Reliability ratings. Read reviews about the selected company and information from several sources. If opinions do not differ and feedback is mostly positive, then you can start playing.
3. Bookmaker’s line. An important role in choosing a bookmaker’s office is played by the line — a list of offered events. The more events offered, the better for you.
4. Betting odds. The more odds the bookmaker gives on events, the more a player can earn.
5. Incentive program. Look for a bookie that offers bonuses, promotions, and sweepstakes regularly. This way you can increase your winnings and also have great fun knowing that you are appreciated.
6. Mobile betting app. Find the most user-friendly mobile betting app to increase the comfort of your game.
Few conclusions
Based on the rating, tips, and rules above, you can quickly find a reliable bookmaker with high odds and a guarantee of the safety of your funds. It’s also recommended to pay attention to the speed of withdrawal of winnings, as well as the number of payment systems the bookmaker site cooperates with.