Why Can You Trust Us?
We understand how difficult and time-consuming it can be trying to choose a betting site that ticks all the boxes in terms of betting services. So, we took it upon ourselves to search for the top Nigerian betting sites, leaving you the option to choose the one that suits you. We ensured that we dissected every aspect of our online bookmakers, including sports markets, streaming, and payment methods, to know what they entail before putting them out.
Top 5 Nigerian Betting Sites: Review
How We Evaluate Betting Sites
We had to look at three major aspects to evaluate the betting sites provided in this writing. The three aspects encompass the necessary features that a bookmaker requires to rank as top quality. These categories include the following.
- Technology and Product. It's about what to wager on and how to wager. We count the number of sports and the market, calculate the margin, and study for which events video streaming is available.
- Bonuses and Payment Systems. Bonuses are an important aspect of keeping a player interested, so we evaluate welcome and existing customer promotions, their size and whether they are easy to qualify for. We also look at which payment methods are offered by the bookmaker to ensure that the majority of players using different means are satisfied.
- User Experience and Support. Users' experience on a betting site is essential. We look at how user-friendly the site is and how responsive the customer support is.
Now, let's analyse them and recommend the sites that fit each category.
Technology and Product
In reviewing site technology, sports offerings, odds, live streaming capabilities, and mobile apps, the following bookmakers stood out for their exceptional performance in these areas:
- 22Bet
- Betwinner
- 1xBet
Bonuses and Payment Systems
For the best bonuses and most user-friendly payment systems, the leading bookmakers are:
- 22Bet
- BetWinner
- Melbet
User Experience and Support
For the best overall user experience and support, the top bookmakers are:
- Bet9ja
- 22Bet
- BetWinner
Bonus Offers of Bookmakers
As mentioned earlier, bonuses and promotions have become necessary for many bookies. The reasons are simple. Bookies, especially the new ones, provide them to attract members to the site. On the other hand, members will prefer to stick with a site that constantly provides bonuses. This is due to the benefits players get from these offers, which vary from free bets to cash prizes.
It's all good to partake in whichever bonus a site makes available. However, what's more important is knowing what the bonus entails. For instance, bonuses on Nigerian betting sites will require a minimum deposit to activate and a specific playthrough requirement to withdraw your bonus funds. You have to consider all of these before participating in any offer. Once you follow the rule of bonus, you will receive them.
Top 3 Betting Sites with the Best Bonuses
The table below provides the sites that offer the best welcome bonus, the Best Bonus for existing customer, and the best football bonus offer.
Best welcome bonus | BetWinner: 200% First Deposit Bonus up to NGN 100,000 |
---|---|
Best bonus for existing users | 22Bet: Accumulator Saver Offer. Wager on an accumulator bet with at least 7 selections and get 100% of your stake if one of your selections loses |
Best Football Bonus | 1xBet: Goalless Football. Wager on your favourite team in top league matches. If the 1st half ends in a goalless draw, the site will refund the value of your bet. |
Top 3 Betting Sites with Fast Withdrawals
- BetKing- Instant withdrawal via Bank Transfer
- PariPesa - Instant withdrawal via Internet Banking
- 22Bet - Instant withdrawal via Bank Transfer
Betting Markets on Nigerian Betting Sites
Nigerian betting sites offer different betting markets for bettors to make predictions. While the number of markets may vary depending on the event, sports like football, tennis, and basketball offer the most.
Let's briefly talk about the popular markets:
- Match Result (1×2). The easiest market that both newbies and experienced bettors enjoy. It requires players to choose which team will win, with “1” representing the first team, “2” representing the second team, and “X” representing a draw.
- Totals (Over/Under). The Total markets require that bettors predict whether the number of goals or points to be scored in a game will be over or under a set mark.
- Handicap. The Handicap Market gives the involved teams equal chances to win a game. As a result, the underdog gets a head start to level the playing field. For instance, if team A, the underdog, starts a game with a 3-goal lead, team B will need 4 goals to win.
- Double Chance. With the Double Chance bet, players can combine two markets from the Match Result bet. So you have 1X, X2, and 12. “1X” represents a home/first team win or draw, “X2” represents an away/second team win or draw, while “1^2” indicates that either the home/first team or away/second team will win the game.
- Correct Score. In a Correct Score market, you have to predict the exact score in a game. This market does not cover extra time or overtime.
- Both Teams To Score. The Both Teams To Score market requires the two teams to score at least one goal each in a match.
Football, tennis, and basketball are the most popular sports for betting in Nigeria. Apart from the popular markets we listed, these sports offer specialised markets. They are:
- Football: Next Team To Score, Next Player To Score, To Come from Behind and Win, Score During the Match, etc.
- Tennis: Players to Win At Least One Set, Sets Handicap, 1st Service Game Score, etc.
- Basketball: Race To Points, Total Points in Each Quarter, Highest Scoring Half, Team to Score Last Points, etc.
Top 3 Bookies with Best Coverage
The table below will show the top 3 bookies with the best coverage, including the number of sports and events they offer daily.
Number of sports | Football events | Basketball events | Tennis events | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1xBet | 40+ | 1,100 | 280 | 510 |
22Bet | 40+ | 1,500 | 280 | 520 |
BetWinner | 40+ | 1,100 | 280 | 510 |
Best Odds on Betting Sites
Odds determine your payout on a particular game, so joining a bookie offering high betting prices is important. On Nigerian betting sites, players usually find the odds in 3 different formats: decimal, fractional, and american, with the decimal odds format being the most popular.
Every betting site claims to offer the best odds, but you can check it by calculating the margin — a commission that a bookmaker implements in every market. Hence, a site with a lower margin indicates that it offers better odds and payouts.
To calculate the betting margin for a two-way market, like in tennis, use this formula:
100 — ((1/Decimal Odds A) ✖ 100 + (1/Decimal Odds B✖100))
So if a betting site offers 2.47 odds to player A and 1.58 odds to player B, you will have:
100 — ((1 / 2.47)✖100 + (1 / 1.58) ✖ 100)) = 3.8%.
The same applies to a 3-way football bet with team A having 1.70 odds, team B having 3.50 odds, and the draw odds at 3.20. So, you'll have:
100 — ((1 / 1.70) ✖ 100) + ((1 / 3.20) ✖ 100) + ((1 / 3.50) ✖ 100)= 118.7
You can also use online margin calculators that will make the calculations easier.
When comparing bookies, a margin of less than 2% is considered low, while above 5% is considered high. The bookie that provides a lower margin will give better value for your wager.
Top 3 Bookies with Best Odds
- 1xBet — Top football margin: 1.5%
- Bet9ja — Top football margin: 5.1%
- BetWinner — Top football margin: 5.5%
Live Betting and Live Streaming on Nigerian Betting Sites
With the live betting feature, bettors can wager on a game as it unfolds. So, as the game progresses, the odds change with the actions in the match. Hence, you have to be quick when making your predictions.
In addition, some bookies provide a live streaming feature alongside live betting. This way, you can watch your favourite games and predict games at the same time. Let's briefly explain the advantages of live betting and streaming.
- Access to more exciting markets. There are some markets that players can access only during live games. For instance, the Next Goalscorer and the Next Team to Score are examples of live markets you won't find during pre-games.
- Big odds. Players who are good with live bets can secure high odds, which impacts their payout. For instance, situations in a match where a team is yet to score a goal with a few minutes to the end of the game will offer high odds on an over 0.5 market. If you've been watching the game and see that they've been creating chances, this could be a good bet to wager on.
- Live action of the game. With a live streaming feature, you can see every game action. This helps you to make better predictions on a game.
- Access to games on the go. On a site that offers live betting and streaming and a mobile site app, you may place bets wherever and whenever. Hence, you won't need your TV or PC to watch and bet on your favourite matches.
The thrill that comes with live betting is awesome. However, you may lose funds if you don't have a strategy in place. You can decide the moment in a game to bet or hold with a strategy. Also, some bookies may require that you have funds in your account to use the live-streaming feature. It doesn't mean that they'll charge you, but that's the requirement they need to access the feature.
Top 3 Betting Sites with Live Betting and Live Streaming
Here, we will provide the top 3 sites with live betting and streaming features.
Max number of markets | Live Streaming | Streaming highlights | |
---|---|---|---|
Bet9ja | Up to 100 | + | La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Tennis, Basketball etc |
BetWinner | Over 100 | + | La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Tennis, Basketball, etc |
22Bet | Over 100 | + | La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Tennis, Basketball etc |
Beginner's Guide to Placing Bets on Betting Sites
Placing bets is the primary motive of bettors. However, they must go through stages from creating and verifying their account to depositing funds and placing bets on their favourite sports. Let's provide a step-by-step guide on registering, depositing funds, placing bets, and withdrawing your winnings.
How to Register on a Betting Site
Below is a step-by-step guide on registering on a betting site in Nigeria. Let's use Bet9ja as an example.
- First, visit the betting site via your PC or smartphone. You may also choose to download and install the app to register.
- Afterwards, click the 'Register' button at the top of the site's homepage to begin your registration.
- Enter your email, first name, surname, date of birth, and an optional promo code on the registration form. Tap 'Continue.’
- On the following page, provide a username and password. Also, enter your mobile number and choose your state of residence. Then tap 'Continue.’
- The site sends a 4-digit OTP code to the number you provided. Enter it and click 'Verify and Create Account' to complete your registration.
Upon registration with the betting site, the operator may request additional information or documents to verify your account further. Also, note that some bookies like 1xBet, BetWinner, and 22Bet allow intending users to choose their preferred registration method.
How to Make a Deposit and Claim a Bonus on a Betting Site
To deposit funds on a Nigerian betting site, follow the step-by-step guide below using 22Bet as an example:
- Log into your betting account.
- Afterwards, click on your balance, and the site directs you to the payment page. Alternatively, click the profile symbol on the homepage and select 'Deposit.'
- Choose your preferred method of payment. E-wallets, internet banking, credit/debit cards, bank transfers, or USSD are the most common.
- Each payment method has a minimum and maximum deposit limit. Note this while entering your deposit amount.
- Next, click 'Confirm' to complete your transaction. Some betting sites may require you to provide additional details after hitting the confirm button.
Players can receive a site's welcome bonus during registration or while depositing funds. For instance, bettors can reject or accept a welcome bonus. If you accept it, you will have to deposit at least NGN 850 to claim your bonus. Afterwards, fulfil the wagering requirements (5x the bonus on accumulator bets) of the bonus to allow you to withdraw it.
How to Place a Bet on a Betting Site
Placing bets on your preferred bookie is easy. Let's use BetWinner as an example:
- Login to your betting account.
- Then click the 'Sport' tab on the homepage. You may access the 'Sport' section via the menu page.
- Afterwards, choose your preferred sports. Let's say 'Football.’
- Next, select your preferred league or tournament.
- Then click on the match you want to bet on. This way, you can find all the markets available for your pick.
- Click on the odds attached to your preferred betting market. The more you select a game, the more it adds to your betslip.
- After choosing your games, click the 'Bet slip' button to view and adjust your picks.
- Then, enter your stake amount and click 'Place A Bet' to confirm your wager.
Take the BetWinner welcome bonus as an example. New members must place an accumulator bet containing at least 3 events, with 3 having a minimum of 1.40 odds. You can follow the procedure above to place your accumulator bets.
How to Withdraw Money on a Betting Site
Winning a bet has to be the most important moment for a bettor. Follow the step-by-step guide below on removing funds from your betting account after winning a game.
- Log into your account.
- Then navigate to the 'Profile' or 'My Account' section and select 'Withdraw'. Immediately, the site directs you to the payment page.
- Afterwards, choose your preferred withdrawal methods from the options on the site. To avoid withdrawal issues, removing your money using the option used to fund your account is best.
- Next, enter the amount you intend to withdraw. As for deposits, withdrawals also have minimum and maximum limits. So, you have to note those while making your withdrawals.
- Then click 'Confirm' or 'Withdraw' to finish your withdrawal process. You may need to provide additional information during your withdrawal to help the site confirm you as the owner of the betting account.
Most of the Nigerian betting sites included in this guide process your withdrawal instantly and do not charge a fee for your transaction. However, some withdrawal methods may delay your payment. Nevertheless, the site will surely credit you within 1-5 business days.
Betting Sites and Mobile Apps
The introduction of mobile devices has made betting more accessible to bettors. With it, you can place bets wherever and whenever you want. It's arguably the most popular method for placing bets. This is due to the comfortability and convenience it provides to users. Many betting companies realise this and create mobile applications for their users. It's an upgrade to a bookies mobile site, allowing users to perform every activity they normally do on the web version. It's also why most bettors join a betting site.
Let's briefly analyse a few features and benefits of mobile apps.
- Freedom to wager anywhere. One of the most important advantages of using mobile is the ability to wager anywhere within the country. With the app, you can conveniently access all the features a site provides on the go.
- An alternative for players without a PC. Mobile apps are a great alternative for players who cannot afford a PC. So, you are good to go if you have only a smartphone.
- Provides an optimised interface. Mobile app provides an optimised interface, allowing users to easily locate the site's features. Compared to the desktop site with so much information on the homepage, you only have the most important details on the mobile app's homepage. The app also fits into your screen properly.
- Push Notifications. Mobile apps offer push notifications, providing updates on games, promotional offers, and other important information. This way, you won't miss out. You can configure it after downloading and installing the app.
- Biometric Security. As part of the security measures for users, the mobile app allows login via biometrics. This way, a third party won't be able to access your account. You can find this in the 22Bet and PariPesa apps.
Betting companies make the APK file of the mobile apps available on the website for users to download and install. Downloading it from the Google Play Store is impossible due to Google's strict policy on betting apps. However, iOS users can get it from the Apple Store.
With the app, players can use the step-by-step guide in this writing to wager on games. The procedures are usually similar to the betting site. You can also perform other activities like registration, deposits, live betting, streaming, etc.
Top 3 Mobile Sports Betting Apps
Below are the top 3 mobile sports betting apps for Android and iOS users.
- 22Bet App
- PariPesa App
- BetWinner App
Best Nigerian Betting Sites FAQs
Which is the best betting site?
We consider 22Bet, 1xBet, BetWinner, Melbet, and Bet9ja as the best betting sites because they provide top betting markets, bonuses, payment methods, and betting odds. We recommend trying one of these options when choosing your preferred bookmaker.
Is it safe to bet on Sports in Nigeria?
Yes, it is safe to bet on sports in Nigeria so far you place a bet on a betting site that is licensed by the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission or any other top regulatory authority. Legal bookmakers are more willing to meet players' satisfaction, and in case of a conflict you can go to court. Illegal offshore operators can simply ignore any demands and steal your money.
Do all betting sites in Nigeria provide mobile apps?
No. Not all betting sites in Nigeria provide a mobile app to their customers. In some cases, betting companies provide only Android apps, neglecting iOS users. However, sites like 22Bet, BetWinner, PariPesa, Melbet, and 1xBet ensure Android and iOS users can download and install their respective apps.
Is betting legal in Nigeria?
Yes. Betting is legal in Nigeria. Players must be at least 18 to join a betting site. Also, bodies like the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and Lagos State Lotteries Board ensure the licensing and regulation of betting companies in Nigeria.
Are welcome bonuses available on all betting sites in Nigeria?
While welcome bonuses are important to attract customers to a betting site, not all bookies offer them. But new players intending to join a bookie will find a welcome bonus on 1xBet, 22Bet, PariPesa, Melbet, and BetWinner.