Online Casinos Nigeria

New online casinos in Nigeria

Online gambling is extremely booming in Nigeria, and the opportunities for both players and operators are huge. An average gambler today would rather gamble online than visit a regulated physical casino. This constant demand for online gambling drives operators to keep churning out new casinos to the market.

We’d say it’s like a fierce competition, with each operator bringing something tangible to the market. Soon, it will become increasingly tricky for players to spot the best new casino sites. Even some rogue operators are jumping on the bandwagon, initially serving players well before revealing their true colors.

A high degree of skepticism is/will be required when vetting new online casinos. And this is exactly what we did, exploring and reviewing dozens of new casinos launched over the past year. The following stood out:

Sweet Bonanza

As the name suggests, you will be taken to a world made up of candy, cakes, and sugary fruits. This game was released in 2019 by Pragmatic Play. The sugary theme has definitely made it popular among Nigerians.

Once you enter this sugary world, this game plays out on 6 reels and 5 rows. Symbols are filled with fruits and candy and different combinations will give you different multipliers. The highest-paying one is the lollipop scatter symbol.

And if you land at least 8 identical symbols anywhere on the reels, you’re good. The cascading reels can give you plenty of consecutive wins on every spin.

The game has an RTP of 96.52%, which is slightly above the industry average. It’s also highly volatile. You might benefit from sugar bomb symbols which have impressive multipliers.

Sweet Bonanza Free Play.

Other popular casino games in Nigeria

Beyond video slots, Nigerians are die-hard fans of table games like blackjack, roulette, poker and craps. We found most of these games in online casinos we explored and reviewed, so you will too. Nigerians also have a thing for lotteries, with approximately 60 million actively participating in various forms of lottery gaming.

As of today, these are the most popular casino games besides the slots we discussed above. Number one will catch you by surprise.

Blackjack

Blackjack is arguably the most popular skill-based casino game in Nigeria. You will find it at the top of the list in many online casinos, sometimes even referred to as 21. It’s an easy game to learn and also fun to play. The main aim is to get a total card value of 21 or something close to that without going over it.

Roulette

The good thing about this game is that it does not require much knowledge. The goal is to predict where the ball will land once the roulette table is spun. The stakes vary from the number value it will land on to the colour it will land on.

Nigerian Sports betting sites

One of the hallmarks of online gambling sites is the sportsbook section. Sports betting has an enormous following in Nigeria. The growing online gaming industry has changed the perspective of both gaming providers and players. Over the years, many positive changes have been introduced to favour players.

Betting on sports in Nigeria is a popular activity. All sorts of sports are available to bet on However, sports such as football, basketball, tennis, and rugby have a larger following in the country. With the revolution of the iGaming industry, virtual sports lovers are not left out.

So, how do sports betting work? Most online betting sites provide different betting options. You’ll find total bets, parlays, futures and more.

In Nigeria, decimal odds are mostly used.

When all is said and done, choosing the best online betting site is crucial. With hundreds of options available, you won’t miss some which are untrustworthy.

It’s advisable you research extensively. Check which features are available. For example, is there an option for live betting? Is there a cash-out option? Which bonuses are available? Lastly, does it have a reliable customer service team?

Based on these factors, here are some sports betting sites we recommend in Nigeria.

Visa

This is one of the most used payment options in Nigeria, not only in casinos but also in other online shopping activities. It’s a safe and secure way of transacting. Other notable features include ease of use, fast deposit speeds, and wide acceptability.

All top online casinos in Nigeria accept Visa payments. Some have gone to the extent of offering various bonuses and promotions if you use this option.

Interswitch

This is a renowned payment option that allows players to transact using their different bank cards. There are a variety of options to choose from, including Verve, Webpay, and Quickteller.

Payments made through Interswitch are processed instantly. The payment method is also widely available in Nigeria. If you’re worried about security, relax. All your personal information will remain confidential at all times.

Gambling regulator in Nigeria

Right off the bat, online gambling is legal in Nigeria. You should not worry whenever you play online casinos. However, the law concerning gambling is somehow unclear.

The National Lottery Regulatory Commission regulates gambling in Nigeria. This legislation was implemented under the National Lottery Act of 2005. Other gambling forms are considered illegal under the Criminal Code Act of 1990.

Based on the country’s gambling laws, lottery, sports betting, and land-based casino gaming are legal. Meanwhile, games of chance like roulette, dice games, and non-skilled games are considered illegal.

The National Lottery Act of 2005 brought the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to life. Their purpose is to oversee lottery businesses in Nigeria. The NLRC has the mandate to issue three types of gambling licences: lottery licences, online and offline sports betting licences, and promotional permits.

At the moment, there is no law indicating that locals can place bets on foreign online casinos. Nonetheless, several offshore casinos accept Nigerian players and are regulated by recognized organisations.

Online casinos in Nigeria follow the same laws and regulations as their land-based counterparts.

Gambling taxes in Nigeria

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. Therefore, it’s understandable that they have a large customer base in the gambling industry.

Definitely, the government sees this as an opportunity to increase its revenue. The World Bank also recommended that the Federal Government look into betting taxes to increase revenue.

In recent years, there have been candid conversations concerning betting taxes in Nigeria. As of 2020, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was set to start taxing betting activities.

They had drawn up a proposal to ensure that a value-added tax of 7.5% applied to the online betting industry. This move was not a surprise since Nigeria is a hub for online gaming.

Are winnings from bets placed in Nigeria taxable? Yes, they are. In case you win big, be ready to give the government its share. Also, if you are a professional gambler, your winnings are subjected to income tax. This is because gambling activities are subjected to general income tax laws.

The National Lottery Regulatory Commission also thinks it would be difficult to implement the 7.5% VAT on betting stakes. They suggest that the VAT should be deducted from the winnings before payouts.

Clearly, the NLRC and FIRS are not on the same page concerning gambling taxes. Obviously, online casinos are not in favour of these tax measures as well.

Land-based gambling in Nigeria

Nigeria is well known for its gambling industry. Apart from online gambling, land-based casinos are also popular in the country. The Lottery act clearly defines which land-based games are legal and which ones are not.

Which types of land-based gambling are permitted in Nigeria? Physical casinos, sports betting, slot machines, raffles, and lotto shops are all permitted in Nigeria.

Land-based gambling is regulated at both the national and state level. Regulatory bodies in the country have the power to create new licences to accommodate the growing industry.

Land-based casinos may be part of a hotel or a resort. Alternatively, it can be licensed as a stand-alone casino.

Although Nigeria is one of the largest countries on the continent, there are only a few land-based casinos. The most popular one is the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino located in Victoria Islands. There’s also the Transcorp Hilton Casino located in Abuja, among others.

Important Gambling Tips For Real Money Gambling in NG

Before you play for real money in Nigerian online casinos, consider these tips:

• Only play in licensed casinos. Don’t take chances. Only play on licensed platforms like the one we have listed in this guide. Anything else is a gamble in itself.
• Have a budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend. A budget will restrain you from overspending
• Play demo games first before you transition. Get a real feel for slots, tables, or crash games without risking your cash. It’s practice that pays off in confidence.
• Avoid chasing losses. Acknowledge that losses are inevitable. Chasing them only digs a deeper hole. Walk away and try another day.
• RTP doesn’t guarantee a win. High RTP in games only improves your odds of winning in the long term. Otherwise, you aren’t guaranteed to win.
• Take regular breaks. Gambling can be overwhelming. Regularly take breaks so as not to impair your judgement.
• Read and keep in mind all casino’s policies to avoid surprises down the line when playing.

Did You Know?

• It’s estimated that around 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 gamble. They spend approximately 2 billion USD yearly. This can mainly be attributed to the availability of online gambling using mobile phones.
• Only three licensed land-based casinos exist in Nigeria. Despite this, the casino gaming sector is estimated to generate approximately $70 million in revenue yearly.

Final verdict

It’s evident that most Nigerians gamble either online or in land-based casinos. Therefore, there are a number of online casinos operating in Nigeria. When choosing an online casino, before anything else, ensure that it’s licensed by the relevant authorities.

Nigerians have plenty of casino games to play. Slots, table games, live dealer games, and cards are popular in the country. However, sports betting has become a fan favourite since it came into the picture. When it comes to sports betting, football is the most popular sport in Nigeria.

There are plenty of payment options available for Nigerians. Luckily, online casinos operating in the country accept both fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. However, Nigerian-owned casinos do not accept crypto since it’s illegal.

Also, it’s important to note that you can’t transact using the Nigerian naira with most offshore casinos. However, local casinos support this currency.

Always remember to gamble responsibly. If you feel your gambling habits are getting out of hand, seek help!