From sports betting to Lotto – a look at Nigeria’s most popular gambling activities
<span style="font-size: 16px;">The allure of a wager is something that is hardwired into us as human beings. Archeologists have found evidence from prehistoric times of rudimentary dice-type games made from animal bones. And for as long as people have challenged each other in races, fights or other athletic pursuits, there have been others eager to watch from the sidelines and bet on a winner.</span>
Of course, in the world of 2022, gambling is a multi billion dollar global industry. But it is also a popular way to have fun, and not just on the Las Vegas Strip or in millionaire playgrounds like Monte Carlo. Here in Nigeria, more than a half the adult population enjoys at least the occasional recreational wager and a third gamble regularly. But today, that can take many forms. Here, we lift the lid on Nigeria’s most popular gambling activities.
Sports betting
Market research by the Nigerian News Agency revealed that around 60 million Nigerians bet on sport every year. The country’s sports betting market is valued at approximately $2 billion per year. Walk down almost any street in Lagos and you will soon pass a betting shop, and today, of course, many Nigerians place bets online using their phones.
The most popular sport to bet on is, of course, football. The national team has been ranked as high as fifth in the world and is a source of huge national pride and support. Nigerians also follow international leagues such as the EPL closely, and place bets on the top teams like Manchester United and Arsenal. online betting website
Online casinos
Until a decade or so ago, casino gaming was not commonplace in Nigeria. Casinos were mostly located within the confines of luxury hotels, and were primarily aimed at foreign visitors plus a few of the most wealthy locals. The internet changed all that, along with the global reach of European and American casino businesses. Today, trusted online casinos from the USA and elsewhere welcome around 55 million Nigerians through their virtual doors every year.
Online casino gaming encompasses a range of activities, including live casino games, where the player can interact with a real dealer via webcam as he or she plays blackjack, roulette and other traditional games. Online casinos also offer literally hundreds of slot games, from simple retro fruit machines to complex video slots with story arcs and movie-style production values. you can win up to 50 million naira
Lottery
It is estimated that between seven and eight million Nigerians regularly play the lottery. Nigeria’s National Lottery Regulatory Commission was established in 2005 to oversee lottery draws, and while the commission initially predicted that the state-run promo lottery would generate about $150 million per year, that number proved over-optimistic.
However, recent years have seen an increase in lottery gambling. With new operators granted licenses, there is now more choice. But perhaps most significantly, mobile internet makes it possible to access overseas lotteries. When US lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions can deliver rewards in the billions, the attraction over local lotteries is obvious – even though the odds of winning also lie in the realms of billions to one.
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