Football is, without a doubt, the most popular and beloved sport in Nigeria. The abundance of well-known online football betting sites can attest to this. Betting on football matches and tournaments has become a favourite pastime for many Nigerians, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already thrilling sport. But, thanks to the massive array of betting sites out there, it’s overwhelming for beginners to figure out where to start and who’s trustworthy. If you’re looking for the most reputable football betting sites in Nigeria, you’re in the right place.
Contents
- Vetted bookmakers for Nigeria football betting
- What is football betting, and how can you bet in Nigeria?
- Prediction sites vs. sports betting sites
- Top football betting sites in Nigeria
- Football leagues you can bet on in Nigeria
- What makes a football betting site good?
- How to bet on football
- Football betting FAQs
Vetted bookmakers for Nigeria football betting
What is football betting, and how can you bet in Nigeria?
Football betting involves predicting the outcome of a football match and placing a wager on it. You can bet on various aspects of a game, such as which team will win, the total number of goals scored, or specific players’ performances.
In Nigeria, football betting is legal and regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC). There are three main ways to bet on football in Nigeria – through land-based betting shops, online betting sites, and mobile betting apps. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s essential to understand how online betting works before deciding where to place your bets.
There are also different markets for football betting in Nigeria. These include the Over/Under market, the Both Teams to Score (GG) market, and the 1×2 market. Each market offers different odds and potential payouts, with 1×2 betting being the most common and straightforward form of betting.
Betting on football in Nigeria has been made easy. All you have to do is pick one of the best Nigerian football betting sites (which we’ll show you below) and sign up with them. Afterwards, fund your account with real money. Then, you can begin placing bets on any football leagues and markets associated with the events.
Prediction sites vs. sports betting sites
A football prediction site offers free tips and predictions, analysis, football forms and statistics. It also provides the most recent results, including league standings and team news. They offer forecasts for projected outcomes and offer tips to help you make informed decisions when betting. However, they are not licensed to accept bets and cannot be held accountable for losses you might incur.
Top football prediction sites include sites like ZuluBet and StatArea, which dissect every game, statistic, and team to give players a deeper understanding of the sport. Before you place a bet, it’s wise to consult a prediction site to gain valuable insights into the upcoming game.
By contrast, a sports betting site is an online platform where users can bet on football matches (and dozens of other types of sporting events). Online sports betting sites are licensed and regulated by the NLRC, so they’re responsible for handling bets from players. They offer a wide range of markets, odds, bonuses, and promotions to attract customers.
You should only place wagers on events where your odds are better than those of the bookmaker or are fair according to an array of objective statistics. This is where prediction sites come in handy — they offer expert analysis and predictions to help you compare real probabilities with the odds the bookmaker offers.
Top football betting sites in Nigeria
There are countless sports betting sites in Nigeria where you can bet on the outcome of a football game. Of course, some stand out above the rest, though it can be hard to discern which ones are on the surface. Here’s the list of our favourite sites for football betting in Nigeria:
N1Bet
300% up to ₦1,000,000
Due to its popularity, several sites offer predictions specifically for N1Bet. The sportsbook is known to provide outstanding betting odds, with particularly high odds for football betting. Plus, football prediction sites offer accurate predictions in a comprehensive range of betting markets for bettors who use N1Bet.
BetKing
50% money back up to ₦25,000
BetKing offers mobile bettors access to their Android and iOS apps to bet anywhere they are. And the app/site’s supported matches have betting odds among the most competitive in the industry.
1xBet
300% up to ₦465,000
1xBet’s enormous sportsbook covers up to 40 different sports, and the numerous daily events are their primary point of differentiation in the marketplace. All of the events, including live betting, have a vast selection of available markets and bets. The website’s user-friendly interface and fast deposit/withdrawal options make it an excellent option for Nigerian bettors.
Football leagues you can bet on in Nigeria
You have the option to bet on several top football events and competitions. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
English Premier League
The English Premier League (EPL) was founded in 1992 and comprises 20 teams. Usually, the season commences in August and runs through to the month of May. Worldwide, it’s one of the most watched leagues in football. It is also the most-watched sports league in the world, broadcasted by 212 territories worldwide and reaching two-hundred million homes.
The extensive schedule of matches in the EPL, with each team playing 38 games, offers plenty of betting opportunities for Nigerian football fans.
La Liga
In addition to being home to some of the top teams and players in the world, La Liga boasts high-level football with an exciting and competitive atmosphere. With 20 teams competing against one another in a season that runs from August to May, there are plenty of opportunities for football betting enthusiasts.
What’s more, these teams are among the most successful in European competitions — Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, and Valencia are all vying for the championship. This makes La Liga arguably the most competitive league in Europe.
Bundesliga
The German Bundesliga is another top league that attracts a lot of betting interest. It’s the most-watched sports league in Germany and has some of the most loyal fans in Europe. The season typically runs from August to May, with each of 18 teams playing 34 matches.
RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund are some of the strongest teams in the Bundesliga, making it an exciting league to bet on.
Serie A
The Serie A, Italy’s top football league, also attracts a lot of betting interest from Nigerian fans. With 20 teams competing in the season, there are plenty of opportunities for bettors to make their predictions come true. The league runs from August to May (though it sometimes runs through early June). Juventus has been dominating for the past decade, but teams like AC Milan and Inter Milan are always close behind.
Kanu Nwankwo, Victor Osimhen, Obafemi Martins, Taribo West, and Oliseh Sunday are just a few of the most accomplished Nigerian footballers who have competed in the Italian Serie A. Top betting sites provide access to Italian Serie A betting for Nigerian fans.
UEFA Champions League
The Champions League (relaunched in 1992) is the most prestigious club competition in European football, featuring some of the best teams from various leagues across Europe. The tournament takes place from September to May and culminates in a thrilling final, where the winning team is crowned European Champions.
This competition draws a lot of attention from Nigerian bettors because many teams feature African players and matches from the tournament are frequently broadcast live on television in Nigeria. It’s also common for football prediction sites like StatArea to offer tips and insights specifically for the Champions League matches.
UEFA Europa League
The Europa League is another top European club competition that attracts a lot of betting interest. Evolved from the UEFA Cup, it features teams that didn’t qualify for the Champions League but are still among the best in their respective leagues.
Similar to the Champions League, the Europa League runs from September to May and culminates in an exciting final. The games in the Europa League, however, are typically rougher and more unpredictable due to the more evenly-matched clubs. With multiple betting markets available for each match, Nigerian punters have plenty of opportunities to bet on their favorite teams.
What makes a football betting site good?
With so many football betting sites in Nigeria, it can be challenging to determine which one is right for you. Let’s dive into some key factors that make a betting site stand out to us amidst the competition.
User interface and experience (UI/UX)
Navigating a poorly designed platform is extremely frustrating. It also signals untrustworthiness. A good football betting site will have a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to find and place bets. The user experience (UX) should also be seamless, with minimal lag times and quick loading speeds. Before you sign up, check that every page is free of glitches and bugs and that the sports pages are easy to navigate. If you find it difficult to search for sports or the pages take too long to load on a betting site, then you should avoid that site.
Deposits and withdrawals
Exemplary football betting sites offer a variety of payment methods for deposits and withdrawals to cater to different bettors’ preferences. Deposits should be instant, while withdrawals should take no more than 24 hours to process. If a site does not include the best and most secure payment methods, consider that a red flag.
Football betting odds
Different football betting sites have varying market selections with some offering more options than others. The odds are also different across betting sites. When choosing a football betting site, ensure it offers an array of markets (such as match result, over/under, and first goalscorer) and competitive odds to give you more value for your money. And before you sign up, compare their odds with those of other bookmakers. You can visit their football section to check the odds for upcoming games.
Mobile football betting
Most of the prominent Nigerian bookies have mobile apps you can easily download on your iOS/Android devices. However, not all betting apps are safe, and some apps are better than others. Ensure you only download betting apps from licensed and regulated bookmakers. Also verify the site’s credibility before you install their apps.
Football Features
Promotions, bonuses, and free bets are all attractive features that can enhance your betting experience. It would be an added advantage if football betting sites offered tools like cash outs, bet builders, boosted odds, and insurance bets. Plenty of betting sites will also host live streams for popular league matches and publish their own game stats (or source them from reputable providers), so it’s easier for bettors to make informed decisions.
How to bet on football
Betting on football is easy, especially if you’re using one of the best football betting sites in the country. Here’s a quick guide to help you make your first bet:
Step 1: Choose a bookmaker.
First, use our guide above to choose a football betting site. You can sign up with leading sportsbooks we’ve listed for you on this page. All will provide a special sign-up offer.
Step 2: Register your account.
Click the sign-up button to go to the registration page. Then, fill out the form to set up your football betting account.
Step 3: Make your first deposit
Before you can place a bet, you need to fund your account. When you make the minimum deposit, you can also claim your welcome bonus (if offered).
Step 4: Choose a betting option and market.
You can visit the “football” page of the sports betting site to see which league matches are currently on. From there, select your games and then make your predictions.
Step 5: Set your wager on your bookie.
Usually, the bookie has a minimum and maximum bet you can make, based on what they’re willing to pay out. All you have to do is submit your bet slip and wait for the result of the game.
Step 6: Withdraw your winnings.
Once the scores have been determined, you’ll know the outcome of your bet. If your predictions are correct, you can proceed to claim your winnings through the site.
Football betting FAQs
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How do I get a bonus on a football betting site?
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Can you make money from football betting?
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What is the best football betting site in Nigeria?
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Is it legal to bet on football in Nigeria?
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How do I fund my betting account in Nigeria?