
Online sports betting continues to get more and more popular in Nigeria during 2021.
Lots of sports fans in the country enjoy having a bet on the big game of the day to ramp up the excitement levels, with the added bonus that they could be fortunate enough to bag some cash.
Research has shown tens of millions of Nigerians like to bet on sport, so there is a big market for betting sites in the country to tap into, with new operators seeking a slice of the pie as well.
As a result of the rising interest in online sports betting in Nigeria, an increasing number of betting sites are now available to join in the country, with a wide range of choice offered.
Nigerians who are seeking a new online betting site to join might therefore be unsure of which one to opt for, especially as many of them do seem to be quite similar as well.
Our Top Betting Sites Picks
Let’s take a quick look at some of the best Nigerian betting sites 2021 in the following categories:
- Best Nigerian betting site overall – Betway
- Best for free bets – 22Bet
- Best betting odds – MELbet
- Best for live betting – Bet9ja
- Best new betting site – Konfambet
- Best for football betting – Betway
- Best for live streaming – bet365
- Best for range of betting markets – 1XBet
This is why carrying out some internet research on a site like Bettingguide.com can be a good idea for Nigerians who want to get as much information about a betting site as possible.
The Top 10 Betting Sites in Nigeria for 2021
Having had the experienced online betting industry experts at Bettingguide.com assess all of the above six types of criteria, here are the picks for the top 10 betting sites in Nigeria for 2021:
Betway – #1 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
Betway is certainly among the top betting brands in the world, with its Nigerian site one of the best options for sports fans in the country as well. Paystack and GT Bank are among the top local payment methods that Nigerians can use to fund their accounts on the Betway site.
While football is the main sport to bet on at Betway, the site has more than 20 different sports to pick from. Among them are basketball, tennis and many others – so there are lots of options.
Betway’s range of bonuses and offers are updated regularly but they are almost always some of the best in the business. Along with a generous welcome bonus, there are plenty of other opportunities to earn rewards such as free bets by signing up for an account with Betway.
Esports betting is now becoming an area of prime focus for Betway. An increasing number of Nigerians want to bet on esports, which means that Betway is a very solid choice of betting site.
Research indicates that Betway has a relatively low betting margin than some of the other leading betting sites in Nigeria. This means sports fans can usually find very good value here.
22Bet – #2 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
With more than 30 different sports to bet on, Nigerians are sure to find an appealing wager if they opt to sign up for an account with 22Bet.
A generous welcome bonus gets users off to a flying start on this betting site, while thousands of online casino games are available to play for users with a 22Bet account as well.
Another reason to sign up and bet with 22Bet is the fact the site offers 24/7 customer service. Being able to get help and support around the clock is a big tick in the box for this betting site.
At 22Bet, users can pick from sports such as horse racing and greyhounds, while there are a lot of good markets for basketball and other popular US sports as well. As is the case with Betway, 22Bet has made a push with esports betting recently so those who want to bet on the likes of CS:GO, Dota 2, Valorant and League of Legends will find what they are looking for.
There are a few different languages provided at 22Bet, which many users will find useful. All this ensures 22Bet is among the top Nigerian betting sites for 2021.
Konfambet – #3 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
A relatively new Nigerian online gambling site for 2021, Konfambet is licensed and regulated by the Oyo State Gaming Board.
Local players can therefore feel assured Konfambet is a safe and secure option for betting.
At Konfambet, there are plenty of things to pick from across the online betting world with virtuals, jackpot games and an online casino all offered on the site as well as a solid sportsbook.
It is fair to say the sports betting site is by some distance the best part of Konfambet, though.
Konfambet customers can use a range of common Nigerian online payment methods – such as Paystack, Verve, Interswitch and Quickteller – to fund their account on this sports betting site.
There are no deposit or withdrawal fees to pay on Konfambet either, which is more good news.
Being able to withdraw winnings without having to pay fees will be welcomed by Nigerian users.
A decent sign-up offer is on the table at Konfambet and users should ensure they make the most of this deal if they do choose to sign up for an account on the site.
There are plenty of other good promotions and bonuses to look out for at Konfambet as well.
MELbet – #4 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
In contrast to Konfambet, MELbet is a much more experienced name in the world of online betting as it has been operational for around a decade.
The Nigerian arm of the MELbet brand offers an international collection of more than 40 sports, which is more than a lot of the other top 10 betting sites for 2021 are able to provide their users.
Add in the fact those who join MELbet can also try their luck at hundreds of different online casino games and it is clear to say this is a superior product compared to a lot of rivals.
Other top perks of joining MELbet in Nigeria include the fact that the site offers 24/7 customer service. Users should not take this for granted as other betting sites do not always provide this.
Apps for iOS and Android are both available to download for MELbet users who want to be able to place their sports bets via a mobile device.
More than 400,000 customers have already signed up to bet at MELbet and this number is growing all the time, so it is for sure up there with the top 10 betting sites for 2021 in Nigeria.
BetBonanza – #5 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
Ranking highly among the best betting sites in Nigeria for 2021 is BetBonanza.
Nigerians who sign up to bet at BetBonanza can use a variety of depositing options for free with WebPAY and GT Pay among the top ways to fund an account here with no charges.
An Electronic Funds Transfer is the best way to take funds out of an account with BetBonanza, though there is a minimum withdrawal limit that has been set at ₦2,000.
When signing up at BetBonanza, it is also advised to verify the account by providing one copy of the front and back of a passport, national ID card or permanent voter’s card.
The fact that this betting site holds Nigerian gambling licences from both the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and the Lagos State Lotteries Board is good news for local users.
There are more than 20 different sports to bet on at the BetBonanza sportsbook in Nigeria.
Thousands of events are available to bet on each month at this site, with tennis, basketball and MMA among the top sports to bet on, as well as football.
Customer service is available via WhatsApp, live chat, phone and email, but is not 24/7.
Bet9ja – #6 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
Right up there with the most popular online betting websites in Nigeria is Bet9ja, which certainly earns a place in the country’s top 10 betting sites for 2021.
Bet9ja does not just offer sports betting, with its attached online casino having huge jackpots.
Users who join Bet9ja can feel assured they are putting their trust in one of the country’s most experienced online betting brands as it was first founded all the way back in September 2013.
Bet9ja, which has a license from the Lagos State Lotteries Board, was co-founded by a pair of local entrepreneurs, Ayo Ojuroye and Kunle Soname, who are involved at the site to this day.
Sponsorship deals are how a lot of top online betting sites in Nigeria spread the word. At Bet9ja, both the Nigeria Women’s Football League and the Nigeria National League have had deals.
Top benefits of opting to join Bet9ja include that the site lets its users sign up and play for free.
Esports betting is getting more popular in Nigeria. Bet9ja offers a range of esports to bet on to try to capitalise on this trend, with Dota, League of Legends and CS:GO all offered on the site.
Wazobet – #7 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
A new legal online sportsbook and casino that only launched in Nigeria in 2020, Wazobet has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best online betting sites in the country.
Wazobet has a valid Nigerian gambling licence from the Lagos State Lottery Board, which means it is safe and secure to use for sports betting.
Owned and operated by the trustworthy umbrella company Emerald Bets International Ltd, Wazobet also runs an online casino site as well as its main sportsbook operation.
This means Nigerians who sign up for an account at Wazobet can try their luck at casino games like blackjack as well as betting on the big Premier League game of the day on its sportsbook.
With 128-bit SSL encryption in place at Wazobet as well as its robust data protection firewalls, security is paramount for this Nigerian online casino site, which should reassure users.
Esports fans can bet on the outcome of Call of Duty, Counter-Strike and Rainbow Six matches and tournaments while tennis, basketball, American football and boxing are included in the list of more than 20 sports that are available to bet on here.
Wazobet also offers live in-play betting for most major sporting events.
BetWinner – #8 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
A global gambling site, BetWinner operates in a lot of international markets with Nigeria one of its targets for substantial growth over the coming years.
BetWinner secured valid Nigerian gambling licenses in 2020 and has rapidly become one of the top options for those seeking a new online betting site to join in the country since then.
At BetWinner, virtuals, casino, and live casino betting options are offered, plus a top sportsbook.
BetWinner’s sportsbook is the main reason that most Nigerians will sign up for an account, though. There are more than 1,000 daily events to pick from, so users are spoiled for choice.
Football remains the top sport to bet on at BetWinner, as is the case with most of the other top 10 betting sites in Nigeria for 2021. However, customers can also bet on everything from F1, snooker, cycling, ski jumping and curling to floorball, inline hockey and water polo here.
BetWinner’s sportsbook has many strengths but it is particularly good for live in-play betting.
Users can make the most of a multi-view option that puts main live sporting events on the same page, making it quick to see what is happening and pick out bets.
Bet365 – #9 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
No list of the top 10 betting sites in Nigeria for 2021 would be complete without a mention of Bet365, which is one of the largest online gambling companies in the whole world.
Based in the United Kingdom, many sports fans in Nigeria will recognise the name of the Bet365 brand for its close association with English football team Stoke City.
Bet365 in Nigeria offers a huge number of top sports betting markets and online casino games.
With around 35 different sports to bet on at Bet365, the selection on offer here is greater than at many of the other top 10 betting sites in Nigeria for 2021.
Odds at Bet365 in Nigeria also tend to be very good – up there with the best in the business.
Sports streaming is a key area of strength at Bet365, with an account on the site giving Nigerians access to countless live sport options.
Live in-play betting is another area where Bet365 really thrives, which is great news for those Nigerian sports fans who like placing bets on the best live action of the day.
Available on both iOS and Android, Nigerians can also use the Bet365 app to bet on the go.
Parimatch – #10 Best Betting Site in Nigeria
Last but not least in our selection of the top 10 betting sites in Nigeria for 2021 is Parimatch, a European brand that is becoming a lot more popular to use across parts of Africa right now.
Parimatch has been around for about 20 years, having been launched in Ukraine, but it has spread its wings of late with the UK and Nigeria among its main target markets these days.
Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among the African nations where Parimatch is hoping to make a splash over the coming months and years.
Like some of the other leading online betting sites in Nigeria for 2021, Parimatch has used sports sponsorships to increase its brand recognition all over the world of late.
In the Premier League in England, Parimatch has signed deals with clubs such as Leicester City and Everton, while MMA star Conor McGregor became an international brand ambassador for the online betting company a couple of years ago as well.
Parimatch users are sure to love the depth of the sportsbook site with plenty of different sports to pick from and a massive range of markets to browse as well.
How We Choose the Best Nigerian Betting Sites
Bettingguide.com reviews of Nigeria’s best betting sites assess various areas, like the following:
Safety/security: Online gambling in Nigeria is regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, so the first thing to check out is whether betting sites in the country are properly licensed and regulated. Nigerians will also be concerned about their security when using such sites. They should be taking measures such as putting SSL encryption in place to protect all of their users. Nigerians will also want to know which safe payment methods can be used as well.
Range of sports/betting markets: Most of the top betting sites in Nigeria for 2021 have a similar range of sports and betting markets to pick from, but there do tend to be some important differences. As an example, one Nigerian betting site might be particularly strong when it comes to football, but it might lack markets for some of the more niche sports that some want to bet on. When it comes to the betting markets themselves, sports fans will want to have as much choice as possible when they are browsing an online sportsbook to try to find a bet for the big game.
Promotions: With so much competition among Nigeria’s best betting sites, promotions are one of the main ways that operators try to differentiate themselves from each other. The first way they attempt to snap up new users is through offering a welcome bonus. Free bets are often up for grabs for customers who sign up for an account on Nigeria’s best betting sites, with deposit boosts also often on the table as part of the deal too. Promotions should not just be aimed at new users, however. Existing customers want to make sure they are not forgotten either. They should be able to get free bets, perhaps through a rewards club, while some of the other most commonly offered promotions at betting sites in Nigeria include cashback offers and reloads.
High betting odds: Nigerian sports fans will want to get as much potential profit as they can from their bets. This means looking out for high betting odds, with Bettingguide.com taking time to check which sites are the best in the business when it comes to prices on their sportsbook. Some betting sites have great football odds while others might be top of the tree for tennis.
Live streaming: The world of online betting has embraced live sports streaming in a big way over the last few years. The rise of new technology has made it easier than ever for users to bet live in-play on top sporting events and now Nigerians can often follow the action on a live stream too. Being able to watch live sports streams in high quality is a big tick in the box for betting sites. Users will also want to know if there is anything they need to do to get access to the live sports streams on a betting site, such as placing a qualifying wager or having a funded account.
Support: Nigerians will sometimes need to contact customer support at a betting site. Perhaps they have had a problem making a deposit into their account, or want to question a bet result. This is when being able to get speedy responses from a site’s customer support becomes very important. In an ideal world, betting sites in Nigeria will offer 24/7 customer support, meaning their customers will be able to get the help they need no matter the time showing on the clock.
This is why carrying out some internet research on a site like Bettingguide.com can be a good idea for Nigerians who want to get as much information about a betting site as possible.
But what is Bettingguide.com and how does it compare and rank the best Nigerian betting sites?
Introduction to Bettingguide.com
Bettingguide.com is an internet site dedicated to offering information about online gambling.
With betting on sport more popular than ever in Nigeria, many people in the country are looking for help and guidance in this area, especially when it comes to picking a site to join.
The number of Nigerian online betting sites out there is growing all the time. Even though it is already quite a crowded market, new betting sites keep being launched in Nigeria too.
It is hard to decide which one to join, especially as there are top welcome bonuses on the table in a bid to persuade people to sign up for an account on a site, rather than with a rival.
The welcome bonuses might not be as generous as they look on the surface, however. Terms and conditions have an impact on how good a Nigerian betting site welcome bonus is overall.
A resource like Bettingguide.com that checks out betting offers, deals and promotions on the top Nigerian online betting sites can help to cut through the noise and provide a clear analysis.
Comparing the best sports betting sites and online casinos in Nigeria is the top priority of Bettingguide.com, helping people in the country make the right decision over a site to join.