Top 4 betting platforms in Nigeria according to punters on the streets

It is no news that betting emerged as a lucrative avenue for individuals to generate income in Nigeria. Imagine being able to turn a mere 1000 naira into 10,000 Naira through sports betting platforms.

Of course, there are risks but maybe the sight of bustling crowds inside betting shops every day might be a testament to the hopefulness and anticipation shared by many customers, or punters as they are better known

Take Kunle, for instance, a herb drink seller from Bariga, who revealed his extensive involvement in betting which began in 2017. Thanks to his many wins, he managed to establish his herb drink business, although he also experienced substantial losses along the way.

This life na trial and error, na the grace of God dey help person, na just to get hope say one day your turn go reach

Kunle

But the betting industry extends far beyond grassroots communities. These days, as you scroll through your Twitter feed, it’s a constant barrage of individuals boasting about their multimillion Naira wins, accompanied by betting codes floating around and enticing offers for sure odds. 

So, if you are looking to start your betting career and try to earn some cash on the side, we have gathered insights from punters, aiming to determine the top 4 betting platforms in Nigeria.

Read Also: There is a glaring need for regulation in Africa’s online betting industry

Top 4 betting platforms in Nigeria

Bet9ja

Bet9ja is one of the most popular and widely used betting platforms in Nigeria, thanks to its widespread presence in grassroots areas and an interactive online platform.

Ayo, an avid betting enthusiast, shared with Technext that he chose Bet9ja as his preferred platform due to its numerous onsite offices conveniently located almost every 100 steps. This made it significantly easier for him to engage in betting activities as he does not possess a smartphone.

Game offerings: Bet9ja offers users the opportunity to bet on a diverse range of sports such as soccer leagues, tennis, and basketball, as well as online casino games, virtual sports, and racing products.

Bonus, promotions, and cash payout: The maximum payout per ticket is 40 million Naira. Also, Bet9ja provides a unique bonus for multiple bets, enhancing the excitement of betting by adding an extra 170% bonus to the winning betting slip with a minimum of 5 selections. New customers are also welcomed with a 100% Sign-Up Bonus on their initial deposit. Bet9ja also has the in-play Cash Outs on pre-game bets option. Withdrawal takes at least 24 hours.

Security and protection: Bet9ja utilizes Dell servers and Fortinet Firewall for data protection, and it holds a Thawte SSL encryption certificate. It is licensed by the Lagos State Lotteries Board and the State of Osun for Sportsbook and Gaming,

Sportybet

This is one of the most popular online betting platforms. Although it does not have as many onsite offices as Bet9ja, the platform is one of the easiest to use. Perhaps due to its easy site navigation, making it one of the best options for new punters looking to explore the field.

Kunle, one of the punters Technext met at a Bet9ja shop explained that Sportybet is most accessible for him. I no dey like come this shop, I get Sportybet for phone wey I dey cash out sharp sharp, na just because of my friends. Wetin’ I dey find here when I get business to run…

Game offerings: Sportybet offers almost the same opportunities as a diverse range of sports such as soccer leagues, tennis, and basketball as Bet9ja. However, it seems to be big on virtual sports and of course, the Jackpot where users can win 10 million naira with just 100 naira.

Bonus, promotions, and cash payout: While writing the review, it was noted that Sportybet provides a range of regular bonuses; however, several of them were already marked as completed. Also, they offer a “refer a friend” bonus of 500 Naira. For sports bets, the maximum payout per bet is 50 million naira, and for games, it is 10 million naira.

Withdrawal is almost instant. Users have a daily limit of 10 million Naira for maximum winnings. Sportybet also offers various deposit options, including Visa, MasterCard, Verve, and direct bank transfer via GT Bank, Zenith Bank, UBA, and First Bank.

Security and protection: SportyBet Nigeria is licensed by National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) under License No 0001014.

Betking

This is another very popular online betting platform that has onsite shops scattered everywhere in Nigeria. It is just very similar to Bet9ja. I doubt if people from the grassroots even know the difference. Some argued that it is the same with Bet9ja and this has somehow given it some popularity but honestly, there is a difference particularly in their offerings and even in the platform’s interface.

Game offerings: BetKing offers a wide range of sports betting services, but it is not restricted to football, hockey, cricket, tennis, basketball, and more, customized state-of-the-art virtual games including the exclusive Kings’ League and Colour-Colour.

Bonus, Promotions, and Cash Payout: Betking is not as big on promotions and bonuses as Bet9ja. One of its very few bonuses is the 225% Accumulator Bonus. The latest promotion to offer from Betking is also the 50% Bet Cashback on your first lost bet of up to 30,000 Naira.

The maximum withdrawal amount allowed at Betking is 40 million Naira. It also has got the two most popular payment methods in Nigeria- ATM Cards Deposits and online banking- along with OPay, Quickteller, USSD, PayDirect, and banks instant deposit.

Security and protection: BetKing is currently licensed by the Lagos State Lotteries Board, Anambra State Gaming Company, and the National Lotteries Board. It also holds a sports and gaming license issued by the Osun State Government.

1xBet

For many people, 1xBet is one of the most reliable and easily accessible betting platforms. It is even older than bet9ja when we talk about its inception but it moved to Nigeria later and the lack of multiple onsite shops might be a hindrance for some individuals.

Game offerings: Asides from regular sports games, the platform offers a wide range of betting opportunities. From live casinos to esports, to TV games, Hunting & Fishing, and Lottos, 1Xbet is truly a one-stop for all punters.

Bonus, promotion, cash payout: New users get a 300% deposit bonus up to when they sign up and register using the promo code. 1xbet also has different payment options. Users can deposit and withdraw money through e-wallets, cryptocurrency, prepaid cards, e-vouchers, etc.

The maximum payout is limited to €600,000 per bet, according to the platform’s chatbot (or the equivalent sum in your currency). Calculating with Wise.com, that is over 270 million naira.

Security and protection: 1xBet Nigeria operates with an approved license obtained from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

Conclusion

While each of these four platforms provides a range of bet types and offers round-the-clock live betting, it’s crucial to consider the odds when selecting the ideal platform. I mean, we are all aware that higher odds translate to better chances of securing larger winnings.

Considering the significance of odds in your decision-making process, it is crucial to note that certain platforms provide higher odds compared to others. A comprehensive analysis of two games across four prominent betting platforms reveals that Bet9ja and 1xBet consistently offer superior odds when compared to Sporty Bet and BetKing.

Although the disparity in odds is less pronounced for Sporty Bet, BetKing falls significantly behind the other three platforms in this regard.

So, there you have it!

Read Also: Sports Betting: The Unchecked Rise of a Billion Naira Gambling Epidemic in Nigeria

P.S

It is illegal for anyone below the age of 18 to open a betting account or place a bet. Gambling should purely be for entertainment and it is recommended you bet with what you can afford to lose. To guide your bet placement, you can decide in advance how much to spend on betting and never exceed that limit.