Best Betting Sites in Nigeria 2023– Highest Odds & Bonus

Betting markets in Nigeria and other African countries are growing faster and faster every year and it can be difficult to know which betting site is the right option for you. To make the decision easier, we analysed 10 different factors (including sportsbook, bonuses, odds, security, customer service, mobile apps and more) and ranked all the best Nigerian betting sites from best to worst.

How We Rank the Best Online Betting Sites

Registration

The first step of any betting journey is the registration as this is where you will get the first impression of what the company is like. Does the bookie require lots of unnecessary information? Is the process simple and straight forward? Are you required to deposit funds to be able to create an account? Is the process secure? We answer all these questions and more as we provide a step by step guide on how to register with the different betting sites so that you will know exactly what to expect, right from the beginning.

Deposits and Withdrawals

We understand that payment options are one of the most important aspects in each betting site as everyone wants to feel assured that they are spending their money in the right place. We lay out all the deposits and withdrawals options available to you on each bookie and clearly point out any added fees, deposit and withdrawal limits and processing times that come with the different options. Payment methods are a very sensitive area and we make sure to judge them accordingly so that you can feel confident when using the betting site of your choice.

Welcome Bonus

A good welcome bonus can be one of the reasons why people create an account with one bookmaker over another. There are different types of welcome bonuses, but these will most commonly be in the form of a free bet where your original wager will be matched by the bookie up to a certain amount. We dedicate a whole section of our in-depth betting reviews to welcome bonuses and guide you as to how to take advantage of a betting site’s welcome offer, so you don’t miss out. Check our ultimate list of Free bets in Nigeria here. 

Sportsbook Promotions

Building on welcome bonuses, we also take a look at all the other sportsbook promotions which are available to you. Different promotions are aimed at different people and you will see different types of offers in many different sports. Some example of common bookie promotions include free bet offers, money back offers, enhanced odds, and accumulator winnings boost. All offers come with their own set of terms and conditions which are important to take into consideration as these are what separate good quality promotions from the totally unfair ones. We make it a point to clearly state the most important terms and conditions of each offer we review.

Pre-Match Offer

You are here to bet on sports, so naturally a bookie’s sportsbook needs to provide the quality that you are after. We tell you how many sports and markets are offered by the different bookmakers and you can learn about different types of betting markets and submarkets which are available to you including unique ones such as esports betting or specials betting on politics, entertainment or even the weather. We will guide you as to the minimum and maximum stakes that you are allowed to wager on Nigerian betting sites, the odds format that you can on the sites, and potential cash out options. More importantly, we will provide an important rating of the quality of the bookmaker’s odds which is determined by the level of margins that they add to each bet. If they don’t give players quality odds, they are not getting a recommendation from us.

Live Offer

(Image: Moses Mabhida Stadium during 2013 Africa Cup of Nations | © Akidjoh | Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0)

Everybody wants to enjoy a live betting experience which is professional, fast, and responsive. Betting sites should provide quick updates to in-play matches so that you can place your bets in real time without being at a disadvantage. Slow sites can cause you to miss important opportunities and end up wasting your time and money. The best option is always going to be the availability of a live streaming service however we understand that because of licensing agreements, it might be impossible for some betting sites to provide this. We still give points to those bookies who make the extra effort to provide in-play match updates in the form of live graphics or match commentary which can prove to be both useful and fun for bettors. If a bookie has a mobile interface, we will also inform you about the mobile live betting that they offer and whether it is worth your time.

Read our extensive guide to Live Betting here. 

Security

There is no messing about when it comes to security. A safe and secure set is a must when it comes to betting sites and no other amount of quality can make up for a lack of security. We will never recommend a betting site that does not have top notch security services. We assess whether a bookie has obtained a valid full betting license and whether they are regulated or not. The level of Encryption that that the company uses to protect player data as well as detailed Privacy Policies are also very important to ensure that your rights as a bettor are kept. Lastly, bookmakers should be committed to responsible gambling in order to ensure the safety of their players at all times and we are always on the look out for measures such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusions which allow you to be in control of your gambling. Bookies should also provide information about third party support systems for players who might have concerns about their level of gambling.

Design and Usability

Whilst the design on a betting site’s product is ultimately a matter of taste and preference, it is not difficult to spot a design that is simply just not working. A site’s design comes down to a number of different factors. From a technical point of view, the site and all its features (links, streams, etc) need to work properly. The site also needs to be structured in a way that everything is laid out nicely and easy to find. Here we are looking at accessing information such as the registration tab, the help section, market information and so on. When all these factors come together, they create a website which is both visually appealing, but also very easy to use which will result a more premium betting experience. We will give you all the latest information regarding Nigerian betting sites and their level of design and usability. These elements also apply to the layout of various mobile apps which we also hold to the highest standards in our bookmaker reviews.

Service and Customer Support

Customer service revolves around two options – the number of channels available to contact, and the level of service provided by the bookmaker. Supporting the customer begins with a help/FAQ section on the website where the most common queries should be answered clearly by the betting site. If your query can not be answered in the help section, we will provide you with all the different options you can choose to contact the bookie directly including telephone, message, email, live chat, social media and more. We also inform you whether these services are available 24/7 or not.

Having a customer service that is easily accessible is important but having customer service that is helpful and answers your questions is also just as important. Customer service agents should not leave you waiting a long time before answering your call or message and when they answer they should be polite, friendly, knowledgeable and patient. We take our reviews a step above the rest and contact each customer support department of different betting sites to see firsthand what the whole experience is like.

Mobile

ManyNigerians like to bet on mobile, so some bookmakers have responded to this and started providing mobile optimised versions of their product for mobile betting. Features on mobile should include all of those available on the website and betting sites should also aim to add unique features to the mobile experience. The interface should also be designed to fit the mobile screen with larger buttons to select with your finger and pages that are easy to navigate with a swipe. We explore Nigerian betting mobile apps firsthand and will inform you of every feature that is available on these apps and what is missing. If you do not have a smartphone, we will also review the mobile version of desktop sites for you to consider as you begin betting on the go. Check our extensive guide to best betting apps in Nigeria here.

Is it Safe to Bet on Sports Online?

(Image: Nigeria naira | © Hillato | Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0)

We understand that safety is a priority for a lot of people when betting online. If you are spending your money on a website that you may not be familiar with, you want to make sure that your personal and financial details will be protected and that you will be able to withdraw your eventual winnings easily in the future. We’ve compiled a list of things to look out for when determining whether a betting site is safe or suspicious. As mentioned earlier you should always ensure that the bookie you are using is fully licensed and regulated. In addition to this, you should make sure that the bookie has reliable payment options that you are familiar with. You should use reliable software providers and antivirus software and ensure that you have an encrypted connection to protect yourself at all times. When a bookmaker asks you to verify your identity by sending a copy of your ID/passport or credit card information, you should make sure to cover data which does not need to be shown such as the credit card number. If you are especially concerned about safety and security, international betting sites which operate in Africa such as Betway are guaranteed to provide you with a secure betting experience. This bookie is especially good as it has localised sites such as Betway Nigeria (Betway ng) and Betway Kenya (Betway ke). Click here for Betway review.

Is it Legal to Bet Online in Africa?

Yes, online sports betting is legal in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and other African countries. Different countries will have different rules and legislations which betting companies have to comply with, but once a betting company obtains a license by an official and recognised awarding body, then it is 100% legal to bet with this company. A company’s betting license will usually be displayed in the bottom section of its homepage. If this information is not shown, we suggest that you contact the company’s customer service department and ask for proof of the license or check out our guide to betting in Nigeria, guide to betting in Kenya, and guide to betting in South Africa for more information on the legality of African betting.

How Do I Choose the Right Online Sportsbook?

Choose a Licensed Bookie

We’ve touched on this a few times already, but we cannot stress enough how important it is to choose a betting site that has an official license. We have done all the hard work for you and in our reviews above, we state clearly whether a bookie is in possession of a license or not.

Choose a Betting Site That Fits Your Needs

Every person is different, and you should choose a betting site which meets your own needs. Are you someone that likes a very large sportsbook? Or maybe your priority is taking advantage of a very generous promotion? With so many betting sites available, there is no doubt that you will find one that appeals to you.

 Added Features

Following from the previous tip, you should explore different bookmakers to see what extra features they offer. Some bookies have highly optimised mobile apps while others offer as crisp live streaming service. If you want to take our betting experience to the next level, our reviews will tell you exactly what you can find at each bookmaker.

Best Odds

This one might sound obvious, but we think it always deserves a mention. Different Nigerian betting sites offer different odds and naturally, the better the odds, the higher your winnings will be! You should search through different bookmakers for the best odds on your favourite betting markets to make sure that you can make the most profit possible. We have found that the top Nigerian betting sites have some of the highest odds. 1xbet betting site is famous for having exceptionally high odds – click here for 1xbet review.

Fair Terms and Conditions

We all love a good bonus or offer, don’t we? But it is important not to be blinded by the bold and colourful headline of a promotion and make sure to read the terms and conditions that come with each one. Many bettors create an account with bookies simply because of a lucrative bonus and it would be a shame if this bonus did not deliver on what you expected because of some difficult terms and conditions.

Reliable Customer Support

Betting involves a series of different processes which include many different features. It is therefore very normal to have questions about how certain things might work. Choosing a site with a reliable customer service department is vital for a great betting experience. A live chat function is usually the most efficient system as it easy to access and tends to have the quickest response time.

Reputation

If you are new to betting, going for a site which has a good reputation will usually be a safe choice. Of course, no betting site will have everything but hearing good things about a bookie through word of mouth indicates that the company will have all the most important features covered, and therefore offer a solid betting experience.

Is Betting a Sin?

People have different interpretations of gambling and it is important to respect all opinions on this matter. The Bible, however, does not make any references to gambling and we can say with the utmost confidence that sports betting is not a sinful act – as long as it is done properly and safely. Betting should only be done as a hobby and a way of having fun. We are all human and sometimes even things that are fun can be taken a step too far. If you are not careful with betting, it can result in potential addictions or financial consequences for both for you and your family, and this is where a harmful act would be taking place. That being said, there are many sites and support systems in place, such as the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation and Responsible Gambling Kenya which can help you identify if you are close to developing a gambling addiction, and give you tips on how to slow things down and bring you back to your best.

Summary

Nigerian, Kenyan, and South African bettors as well as those from other African countries are quickly becoming spoilt for choice when deciding which bookie to use. Although at the moment many governments still lack the resources to implement adequate regulations on the industry, and bribery is very common, we believe that the future is very bright for the fast-growing African betting industry. In our in-depth reviews, we analyse several different criteria to help make your choices easier so that you can end up with the best betting site for you.