Best Football Betting Sites in Nigeria

History of Football Betting in Nigeria

The British Colonial government introduced football to Nigeria in the twentieth century, with their first national game played in 1904. Football betting started in the 1920s when football pools were established by the British. This created a new chapter in Nigeria’s history and had a huge impact on the country’s economy. It has continued to grow and adapt to social and economic movements.

From the 1950s to 1970s, the NFPA (Nigerian Football Pools Association) oversaw all football betting in the country. During this period, gambling was often portrayed as a negative by religious leaders. While it remained popular, it wasn’t always socially accepted.

From the late 1970s to the early 2000s, there were many economic and social changes. New regulations and lotteries were introduced, and views about gambling slowly changed.

By 2009, new licensing rules for iGaming companies allowed legitimate online betting sites to create a safer environment. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission now oversees the industry. This means there are stricter financial rules regarding financial stability and how a company operates. This helps contribute to a regulated industry.

The 5 Best Football Bookmakers in Nigeria

Football is a special sport that is full of excitement and flare, and having a flutter on it can be fun. There are many legitimate and reputable betting sites online, but choosing the best for football can be a difficult task for most. Luckily, we’re on hand to help.

We meticulously checked through many sites and found the most trusted football bookmakers. So, here is our list of the top football betting sites in Nigeria to consider.

888Starz Bookmaker #1

Founded in 2020, 888Starz has quickly become a popular platform for football betting. It offers an impressive selection of football markets, including the UEFA Champions League, the Nigerian Football League, the English Premier League, Serie A, the Bundesliga, FIFA World Cup competitions, and more.

888Starz offers a variety of football betting markets and options, including in-play, draw no bet, match result, first goal scorer, and specials for major tournaments. The platform is simple and isn’t overcluttered, allowing users to bet on the football markets easily. Free bets and other special promotions can be awarded throughout the football season, which can be incredibly useful, to say the least.

BC.Game Bookmaker #2

BC.Game has become a popular football betting site in Nigeria today. Its user-friendly interface and simplistic layout make the site easy to navigate. The homepage conveniently displays all sporting events, as well as live football matches and upcoming games. You can choose from a variety of local and international leagues, including La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, the Bundesliga, the English Premier League, the Scottish League, and more.

B.C. Game offers some of the most competitive football odds online today, and that makes the platform stand out for all the right reasons. You can choose the pre-match odds or use the in-play markets for the latest odds.

BetWinner Bookmaker #3

BetWinner is a renowned sports betting platform that operates globally. It has quickly become a popular betting site in Nigeria because of its wide choice of sports and extensive range of football markets.

BetWinner has a clean and user-friendly layout. Upcoming and in-play matches are easy to spot on the homepage, and you can access the various football markets in one click. You can choose from regional football matches as well as international games.

BetWinner's live streaming feature lets you get real-time information about the games. This means you can cash out early, which can be incredibly useful. Plus, BetWinner offers great, competitive odds across all its football markets.

Paripesa Bookmaker #4

Paripesa is a trusted online sports betting site that has gained popularity in Nigeria in recent years. Its vast sportsbook highlights the extensive football markets that are available.

One of the stand-out features is the football odds. They are impressive whether you are looking at the in-play market or pre-match odds. You can also choose various bet types, including ACCAs, doubles, singles, draw no bet, and many others.

Paripesa also offers access to a variety of international football leagues, including British leagues, German, French, Swiss, Turkish, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and many more. You can even bet on major tournaments, such as the Confederations and World Cup competitions.

1xBet Bookmaker #5

1xBet takes football betting to the next level. It offers a variety of football competitions, including La Liga, Serie A, the English and Scottish Premierships, the German Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Greek and Turkish super leagues, and many more.

There is a fantastic choice for local and international major footballing events, even friendlies between nations. You get access to the latest odds and can choose from various bet types, including first goal scorer, over/under goals, both teams to score, and much more.

There is great flexibility over how you can bet, which makes the site more user-friendly. You have access to a mobile app for on-the-go betting, and 1xBet also offers free deposits and withdrawals.

Legality of Bets on Football in Nigeria

It is entirely legal to bet on football and other sports in Nigeria. You must be a minimum of 18 years old to open a sports betting account and place a bet in Nigeria.

Pros and Cons of Football Betting

Football betting sites are flexible and deliver discretion for all. You can bet when and how you want. Whether it’s midnight or early morning, you can bet from the comfort of your home. Of course, there are drawbacks, such as safety concerns.

Types of Football Bets

Let’s run down the most popular football bets of today.

• Match Result: This is the most popular type of football bet you can place. You choose how the match ends – a win for the home team, a win for the away team, or a draw.
• A Single Bet: Singles focus on one team and one result. These are popular bets with one-off or final games, such as World Cup competitions and tournament finals.
• A Double: You pick two football teams and hope both games finish in your favor. You can select from a home win, away win or draw.
• Over/Under: The focus is the minimum number of goals scored in a match. For instance, if you pick over 2.5 goals, at least 3 goals must be scored in 90 minutes for the bet to win. The same is reversed with under 2.5 goals. There can be fewer than 2 goals scored.
• Draw No Bet: You pick a team to win. If they draw, the bet is void, and the stake is returned to you. This is a popular option for teams that don’t tend to lose often.
• The Accumulator: Accumulators are incredibly popular because they can increase your overall winnings. Of course, if one team lets you down, the entire bet is lost.

Popular Football Events to Bet On

Nigeria is a footballing nation, and as such, many popular tournaments hold a place in many hearts. The Nigerian Professional Football League, Nigerian National League, and National Nationwide League are domestic leagues that are popular betting markets. The CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Champions Leagues have also become popular betting markets.

There is also a large following for international competitions and teams. Since over 59% of the country supports British football teams, the English Premier League and FA Cup are famous tournaments for Nigerians to follow and bet on.

The Nigeria Premier Football League is currently in play and will continue until 2025. The CAF Confederation Cup will be concluded in May 2025, whereas the 2024–25 FA Cup Final will take place at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025.

Bonuses

Football betting sites in Nigeria typically offer bonuses to new and existing customers. So, let’s find out what the most common bonus types are.

• Welcome Or Sign-Up Bonuses: Most sites offer a welcome bonus, whether a matched or free bet. These are good incentives that let you try the waters without risking too much.
• Odds Boosters: There are many types of boosters, including enhanced odds and ACCA boosts. These are typically available to existing and new customers.
• A Free Bet: While most sites offer free bets to new sign-ups, many now offer them to existing customers. It could be part of a promotional campaign or used to encourage placing a bet when the new football season kicks off.

Bookmaker	Bonus Offer	Advantages	Find Out More
	100% bonus on first deposit up to 180,000 NGN	SSL encryption for added protection, live chat available 24/7	Get Bonus
	470% bonus on first four deposits + 20 free bets	Accepts cryptocurrencies, instant deposits and withdrawals	Get Bonus
	200% of first deposits up to 100,000 NGN	Great odds, live streaming	Get Bonus
	100% bonus on first deposits of up to 180,000 NGN	Excellent odds, hundreds of betting markets	Get Bonus
	300% bonus of up to 145,600 NGN	Live streaming, special bets for existing customers	Get Bonus

Live Football Betting

Live football betting or betting in-play can hugely benefit players across the board. It is flexible and a convenient way to bet on a football match. You can sit back and watch how both teams settle into the game. You can decide which team is in better form and decide how to place the bet. You can also pick who’ll be the first goal scorer or the next goal scorer and cash out when the odds are in your favor.

Many football bookmakers offer live betting features, including 888Starz, BC. Game, BetWinner, Paripesa, and 1xBet.

Mobile Betting

Mobile apps are crucial when you’re new to the iGaming field. You can access your account wherever and whenever you like. You can place a bet, cash out, or check on the latest scores.

So, let’s see what our top football bookmakers in Nigeria have to offer you.

The Best iOS Betting Apps

Bookmaker	Bonus	Key App Features
	100% bonus on first deposit up to 180,000 NGN	In-play features, cryptocurrency withdrawals, excellent customer support
	100% bonus on first deposits of up to 180,000 NGN	Quick load up, excellent odds, over 40 advanced betting markets available

The Best Android Betting Apps

Bookmaker	Bonus	Key App Features
	300% bonus of up to 145,600 NGN	Good choice of payment methods, match notifications sent to your smartphone, quick load-up time
	200% of first deposits up to 100,000 NGN	User-friendly interface, compatible with most Android devices, excellent security for enhanced safety

Tips for Football Betting

There’s no trick to being a responsible gambler, it’s all about knowing your limit and when to walk away. So, here are a few betting tips you need to know to keep you level-headed today.