List of the best betting sites in Nigeria

Nigeria boasts one of the most vibrant online sports betting scenes on the continent, and this is largely due to the number of passionate sports fans in the country. This rise in online betting has led to multiple bookmakers opening their doors to Nigerian punters, and while it might be great to explore different platforms, you still need to be careful, as not every sportsbook has your best interest in mind.

When choosing bookies in Nigeria, there are lots of factors to consider and questions to answer. Is the bookmaker licensed? What’s its reputation? Do they have bonuses for new and existing players? All these and more will help you identify top online betting sites, but not everyone has the time for this kind of research, and that’s why we’ve scoured the Nigerian betting scene and come up with a trusted list of betting sites in Nigeria.

Despite Nigeria’s rich sports betting history, it didn’t see a fully regulated market until the National Lottery Act was enacted in 2005. This led to the establishment of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, which was charged with overseeing the industry and granting out licenses to operators.

The landmark act has no mention of online sports betting, as it wasn’t popular in the country at the time. However, online sportsbooks looking to operate legally in Nigeria are required to follow a licensing process similar to that of land-based operators.

All betting sites must also pay a ₦2 million application fee and a further ₦75 million when the license is approved. A license is valid for five years, and operators are required to pay 3% of their gross monthly sales turnover.

The National Lottery Regulatory Commission also have a long list of regulatory requirements that these operators have to meet before they start accepting bets from Nigerian punters, so as long as you play at NLRC-approved sites, you’re guaranteed fair play and sure payout on your winnings.

We mentioned how we’ve scoured the Nigerian betting scene in search of the best platforms for you. Now it’s time to show you how we selected these best gambling sites.

• Licensing and regulation: This is the first and, frankly, one of the most important steps when choosing a bookmaker. We look for sites that have been licensed by the NLRC, the national gambling regulator. However, the law allows bookmakers to operate with individual state licenses, so we also consider sites regulated by the Lagos State Lottery Board, Oyo State Gaming Board, Anambra State Gaming Commission, and other commissions.
• Competitive odds: Next up, we review the quality of odds available on these betting sites. We calculate the payout rates and margins on each platform to determine which will give you the best value for your bets. The higher the payout rates, the more returns you get on your wagers, especially on popular events like the Premier League, Champions League, and the NBA.
• Payment methods: Nigeria has a thriving mobile payment sector, so there’s no reason why you should be struggling to deposit or withdraw winnings at trusted betting sites. The bookmaker should support Opay, Palmpay, Kuda, Moniepoint, and bank transfers to the major Nigerian banks. Card payments should also be supported, and transactions should be completed quickly, in Naira too.
• Bonuses and promotions: Bonuses are an integral part of the online betting experience and shouldn’t be ignored. We look for betting sites with welcome bonuses for new players as well as cashbacks, accumulator boosts, reload promos, and even VIP programs for regular punters. It also doesn’t end with large bonus amounts, the promos should feature favourable terms and conditions like low wagering requirements and high betting limits.
• User experience: Finding your favourite markets and placing bets shouldn’t be difficult, whether you’re on the site or mobile app. We highly rate platforms with excellent user interfaces. In addition to a simple UI, the platform should have quick-loading pages and features that allow punters to place bets instantly. This is especially helpful for live betting, where the odds are constantly changing.
• Betting markets and features: We also look for Nigerian betting sites with excellent market coverage for both the popular and lesser-known competitions. Whether you’re betting on the Spanish La Liga or the Portuguese Liga 3, top-notch pre-match and live betting markets should be made available. The platform should also have betting features like advance bet, multilive, and goal-ahead payout to help punters.

1xBet

1xbet is inarguably one of the most popular sportsbooks in Nigeria and has been operating in the country since 2015. It boasts a license from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and even has popular Nigerian artist Davido as its lead sponsor. Punters can place bets on the 1xbet mobile app and websites, where they’ll find some of the best odds in the country, along with generous promotions and a host of payment methods ranging from Opay to cryptocurrencies.

22bet

22bet entered the Nigerian betting scene in 2019 but didn’t obtain a license from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission until the following year. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most trusted bookmakers in the country for both sports betting fans and casino lovers. You get access to premium odds and markets on over 20 sports, with great payout rates on big events like the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

We particularly liked that you can still place bets on the Android and iOS applications with ease. But the lack of extensive live-stream options compared to other bookmakers on our list is a worry.

Melbet

Online sports betting in Nigeria has grown massively in the past few years, and Melbet has been at the forefront of this charge. With licenses from both the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and the Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB), the bookmaker prides itself on delivering fair and regulated gaming experiences.

It’s arguably the best betting platform in Nigeria because it’s one of the few that lets players create an account and place bets all on the Telegram app. This is in addition to several other modern features like cashout, multi-live, and even Android and iOS mobile apps.

Betano

If you’re still unsure of your pick, Betano is another great option you can try out, even though it only just launched. It obtained a local license in 2023 and has been quietly building a solid following across the country. One of the reasons punters love the bookmaker is the seamless experience they enjoy when using mobile apps. It’s genuinely one of the best betting apps around and is loaded with features like a bet builder that rewards up to ₦7,500,000 in cash prizes. Betano is also home to hundreds of sports markets and even allows players to place bets on political and entertainment events.

Betwinner

Betwinner remains one of the few bookmakers in Nigeria with three local licenses. In addition to the NLRC, it’s licensed by the Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB) and the Oyo State Gaming Board. But where it truly shines is in the variety of its sports offerings. You can bet on almost anything on Betwinner. From the FIFA World Cup to esports and even games like Subway Surfers.

You also get lots of recurring promotions like reload offers, cashback on sports bets, and rewards for placing accumulator bets.

Paripesa

Paripesa might not be as established as the other names on our list, but they’ve emerged as a top destination for Nigerian punters because of its low margins and fast payout times. For those who enjoy betting on top competitions like the EPL and NBA, margins are sometimes as low as 3%, and when it’s time to withdraw, payouts are processed almost instantly.

They even have features like Cash Out and Powerbet that let you boost a bet you’ve already placed. If it ends up being successful, you get more returns. Paripesa also hosts live broadcasts of several events, especially tennis and esports. The bookmaker is also licensed by the NLRC.

Afropari

Afropari is not quite popular in Nigeria, as it is a newcomer, but if you’re on the lookout for a sportsbook with truly rich features, you really should check it out. It’s home to one of the biggest welcome bonuses in the country, along with recurring offers, like a 3% cashback on basketball bets, free bets when you wager on the Champions League, and special tennis rewards.

The multilive page lets you create your list of live events you want to wager on, while the statistics section gives you insights and information to back your bets. You can even take part in the referral program to earn rewards for inviting your friends.

Bet9ja

You can’t make a list of the top 10 betting sites in Nigeria and leave out Bet9ja. The bookmaker is widely regarded as one of the most influential betting companies in the country and has been operating since 2013. They have hundreds of physical betting shops across Nigeria, so there’s no question about their reputation. Plus, they offer a wide range of pre-match and live markets, with a focus on mainstream sports.

Bet9ja has multiple website versions: the main one, the mobile site, and the mobile lite version. So, it doesn’t matter the quality of your device, you should be able to access the platform and enjoy betting with ease. There’s also the mobile app, which comes with features like live streams and Cut 1 that pays out winnings on a ticket with only one failed pick.

Sportybet

Like Bet9ja, Sportybet is the biggest player in Nigeria's betting scene today, with millions of Nigerians logging in to place bets every day. Its partners include Real Madrid and La Liga, and the site is licensed by the NLRC and LSLB, further displaying its commitment to reassuring punters.

The platform is home to several modern features, including Flexible Bet, which lets you collect winnings from an accumulator bet even if multiple selections fall through. Bet Builder and cashout are also available, along with live streams. One area where SportyBet stands out is fast withdrawals. Bank transfer is the only withdrawal option, but if you link your Opay or Palmpay to the platform, you can expect your winnings in less than 5 minutes. There aren’t many bookmakers that offer such speed.

Betway

You can hardly ever go wrong with the big names when it comes to choosing a bookmaker. Platforms like Betway have been around for decades, and with that kind of experience comes competitive odds, top-class features, and generally safe and reliable betting sessions.

The bookmaker is backed by both the NLRC and LSLGA, and prides itself on offering premium betting experiences, which you can tell from the simple yet classy user interface and promotions. You have the 700% multibet win boost for acca lovers and Bet Saver that rewards you with cash back based on your total number of picks, odds, and wager amount. You also get to enjoy a robust casino library and access to multiple lottery games from around the world.

Betking

BetKing launched in 2018, following the path of Bet9ja by opening both physical shops around the country and an online betting site. Today, it’s one of the biggest names in the country and a prime destination for punters looking to place match winner, total goals, handicap, and outright bets on their favourite sports events.

It also boasts one of the biggest virtual sports libraries in Nigeria, making sure to keep punters active during the off-seasons. Other features available on BetKing include Korrect Boost for better accumulator payouts, half-time Early Payout, FlexiCUT for payouts in case you miss a few selections in your acca, and Bet Builder.

BetKing is also one of the few betting sites in Nigeria that lets you wager with as little as ₦10.

As you may figure out, not all sports betting sites in Nigeria are licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission or other local state bodies. Some hold licenses from international authorities like the Curaçao Gaming Control Board, Malta Gaming Authority, and even the UK Gambling Commission. These sites are even required to pay taxes to the NLRC and must obtain a Remote Operator Permit from the commission before they begin operations.

Now, you might be wondering why someone would want to play at a foreign betting site. Well, these sites have been proven to offer really high payout rates compared to local ones, which means greater odds and better payouts for your wins.

Furthermore, they tend to have extended market coverage, with more betting options for sports events, entertainment events, and even political happenings. You also get to experience payment methods that you might not find at some of the best bookies in Nigeria.

Afropari is the international bookmaker to consider if you're betting in Nigeria.

We stated earlier how important the quality of odds is when reviewing the best bookmakers in Nigeria, and that’s why we’ve calculated the payout rates for our top sites to make sure you only get the best.

During our reviews, we focused mainly on popular football competitions, particularly the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League. We also calculated the rates of some NBA offerings for basketball fans. 1xBet emerged with the best payout rates, reaching as high as 98% in certain EPL and UCL games. It dropped to around 6% for NBA matchups, but no other platform beats its quality of football odds.

Some of the other highest-odds betting sites in Nigeria include Betano and Paripesa. To make things easier for you, we’ve created a table of the best betting platforms in Nigeria and their payout rates.

New betting sites usually come with excellent user interfaces, lots of great promotions, and modern features. Betano has one of the best apps in the country and two welcome offers, including a ₦2,000 free bet, despite the site only launching in 2023.

Afropari is another top bookmaker that recently entered the Nigerian market, but allows punters to enjoy modern features like multi-live and statistics pages, occasional live streams, cashout, and a promo code to redeem rewards. They might not be the most popular name in the country, but you do get a 3% cashback on basketball bets and a bonus for your UCL wagers.

These sites might not be as established as other existing bookmakers, but their commitment to beating the competition means they sometimes offer features, markets, and promotions you might not find elsewhere. However, always be careful when playing new sites and ensure it's licensed and have good reviews from other players.

We have checked out dozens of sports betting platforms in Nigeria and have reviewed some of the best options for you in this guide. Ultimately, your choice would depend on what you value the most in a bookie. Do you prefer generous promotions? Live-streaming? Or a wide variety of football betting markets? Know that there’s always a platform for you, but you must make sure the bookmaker is safe and reliable.

1xBet is your go-to for a wide variety of markets and great odds. For punters who enjoy great promotions, AfroPari, Betwinner, and Paripesa are some of the top sites for quality bonuses. However, if you’re in need of premium mobile betting, Bet9ja, Betano, and SportyBet would be perfect for you.