Nigerian online gambling 2025
Nigeria has a regulated and legal online gambling industry, with sports betting, casino gaming, lotteries and various other real money pursuits available. Nigerian gambling sites must be regulated by the state or region they are targeting. This means online gambling laws in Nigeria are a patchwork of different situations, with each state having its own regulator, and potentially real money gambling sites, if they are deemed legal. Online gambling sites in Nigeria can be accessed via their websites, with many also having apps available for popular smartphones and tablets. Gambling sites in Nigeria have deposit options to suit the Nigerian Naira, with these including mobile options, Visa and various other NGN friendly payment types. Below we will break down everything you need to know about the gambling landscape in Nigeria.
Top Nigerian gambling sites 2025
Nigeria has regulated gambling sites available to residents, with each state in charge of providing the framework for their legal industry. The Federation of State Gaming Regulation in Nigeria is a body set up to unify the practices between states and maintain consistency between betting sites in each jurisdiction.
The top Nigerian gambling sites boast all of the requirements set out by both the Federation of State Gaming Regulation and various state regulators. For instance, The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority is the regulator in Lagos State, and in recent years has taken over lotteries, betting, casinos, gaming machines ,promotional competitions and other related gambling practices.
Brands like Bet9ja, 1xBet and SportyBet are considered the biggest gambling sites in Nigeria, and they offer everything from real money casino games, including slots and live dealer, right through to sports betting and other types of gambling.
Online gambling sites in Nigeria can be accessed via various means, with these including mobile and computer, with the only real need being a good internet connection and updated web browser. These NG gambling sites can also be accessed via apps in Nigeria, with many boasting Android, iOS and Huawei options.
Real money gambling sites in Nigeria do need to be funded, but various Nigerian Naira payments are available, with these including Instant Bank Transfers via the NIP system, USSD bank codes, debit cards (including verve, Visa and Mastercard), web wallets and even cash options.
Nigerian gambling sites area also required to have customer service available to solve any issues, with this service including help for banking, bonus offers, bet queries and anything else you can dream up.
Legal real money gambling in Nigeria
Gambling Guides
Many online casinos accept customers from Nigeria. Use our gambling guides to find your way through the process of playing real money casino and virtual games.
Online Poker
Poker is popular in Nigeria and various online poker sites accept players from this region. You can navigate our poker coverage here.
Casino Games & Rules
Are you a beginner to online gambling? Check out our casino games and rules guides to get started. Most casino games are available at NG gambling sites
Sports gambling
Nigerian residents gamble on many different sports including football, tennis, basketball, athletics, winter sports and various others.
- Football betting
- Basketball betting
- FIFA World Cup
- Tennis betting
- Bundesliga betting
- Sports betting
Live gambling sites
Live casinos are very popular globally and Nigerians can play at them. Check out our live casino guides to learn more. Popular software includes Evolution, Pragmatic Play Live and OnAir Entertainment.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is very popular in Nigeria, both to wager on and attend. Nigerians can bet on racing all round the world, including in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. You can learn about racing in our expert guides.
Nigerian gambling laws
Nigerians have various forms of legal gambling available to them, with these websites regulated at state level, while having federal oversight. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), which was formed after the National Lottery Act 2005 was signed into law.
This dual system gambling market means that operators must receive a Remote Operator Permit (ROP) if they are based overseas, while they will also need to secure licensing at state level, if it is available. For instance, an international gambling website would need a ROP and a license from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority. A “harmonisation” bill has been proposed in 2025 which would essentially give Nigerian gambling sites uniform laws across the country.
While many gambling sites based overseas will accept Nigerians, it is an offence to do so without NLRC approval, although the enforcement of making these operators abide by the laws is lackadaisical at best.
Online gambling sites in Nigeria, for a long time, were restricted as to what casino games they could offer, but in recent times this has changed largely through the ROP license and then the realisation local operators also needed to be able to offer slot and other real money games. Now, even operators licensed at state level like Bet9Ja offer online slots and various other casino games.
Nigerians can also gamble legally at land-based casinos, with at least five scattered through Lagos and Abuja, with the most popular being Federal Palace Hotel and Casino (Lagos) and Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
Gambling regulators by Nigerian state
| State | Primary regulator / current status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abia | Lotteries & Gaming Bill in progress (regulator TBA) | Bill activity reported in 2025; formal board pending. |
| Adamawa | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Licensing/oversight typically via state IRS/MoF if permitted. |
| Akwa Ibom | Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service – Pools, Games & Lottery Directorate | Enforcement handled within AKIRS. |
| Anambra | Gaming Bill 2024 advancing (commission to be created) | Framework moving through House; regulator designation pending. |
| Bauchi | Gaming prohibited by 2019 state law (no regulator) | Ban covers betting/gaming operations. |
| Bayelsa | Bayelsa State Gaming Law (2025) – regulator under state government | Law establishes state framework for lotteries/sports betting. |
| Benue | Benue State Sports Marketing & Lottery Board | Board unveiled May 2025 to regulate and boost IGR. |
| Borno | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Where permitted, oversight typically sits with IRS/MoF. |
| Cross River | Cross River State Lottery & Gaming (via CRIRS Gaming Portal) | Licensing/renewals handled on CRIRS portal. |
| Delta | State framework exists; regulator details not transparently published | Delta noted among states with state-level frameworks. |
| Ebonyi | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework not publicly clear; IRS/MoF typically handles if any. |
| Edo | State framework regulating lottery & online betting | Law signed to regulate lottery/sports betting; typically via revenue service. |
| Ekiti | Ekiti State Lotteries Commission | Commission established by law; regulates lotteries & online lottery. |
| Enugu | Enugu State Gaming & Lotto Commission (ESGC) | Active enforcement & new digital platform for renewals. |
| Gombe | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework unclear publicly. |
| Imo | Imo State Lotteries & Gaming Authority (IMLGA) | Law establishes lotteries board/authority for regulation. |
| Jigawa | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework unclear publicly. |
| Kaduna | Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) — Gaming Unit | Has undertaken enforcement against unregistered gaming offices. |
| Kano | Gaming & Lottery regulated under Revenue Administration Law/Regs | “Kano State Gaming & Lottery Regulations 2022” referenced in fee schedule. |
| Katsina | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework unclear publicly. |
| Kebbi | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework unclear publicly. |
| Kogi | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Licensing/enforcement typically via IRS/MoF where permitted. |
| Kwara | Lotteries (Government) Law in force; oversight via state government | Dedicated board not publicly evident. |
| Lagos | Lagos State Lotteries & Gaming Authority (LSLGA) | Established by LSLGA Law 2021; regulates all gaming in Lagos. |
| Nasarawa | Nasarawa State Gaming Commission | Commission oversees casino, lotteries, pools & sports betting. |
| Niger | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework unclear publicly. |
| Ogun | State framework exists; regulator details not transparently published | Ogun noted among states with state-level frameworks. |
| Ondo | Ondo State Pools Betting & Lottery Board | Board constituted; AG urged operators to regularise (2024). |
| Osun | Osun Lotteries & Gaming Board (established by 2024 bill) | Assembly passed Lotteries & Gaming Bill in 2024. |
| Oyo | Oyo State Gaming Board (OYSGB) | Regulates betting, pools, lottery in Oyo. |
| Plateau | MDA responsible for Gaming under Revenue (Consolidation) Law | Licensing through designated MDA. |
| Rivers | Gaming Department, Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue | Licensing historically via RIRS Gaming Dept. |
| Sokoto | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework unclear publicly. |
| Taraba | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework unclear publicly. |
| Yobe | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | IRS lists taxes for promotional lottery/gaming. |
| Zamfara | No stand-alone gaming regulator identified | Framework unclear publicly. |
| FCT (Abuja) | National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) | Post-2024 ruling, NLRC retains remit in FCT. |
Best Nigerian gambling apps
Nigerians have got various gambling apps available to them, with these generally coming on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, with the former easily the most popular.
Tecno and Infinix smartphones are two of the most popular in Nigeria, with these two making up close to 50% of the market share 2024, and with it running on Android they have gambling apps available on them. After you have registered an account at your chosen gambling website, you can download Android gambling apps either directly from the operator, or via the Google Play store.
Apple has around a 10% market share in Nigeria and most gambling sites will offer apps for these smartphones. You can download them directly from the App Store, but we recommend registering a new account at your chosen bookie and following the links to download their app. This ensures you get the correct app and are eligible for any offers the World Gambling List has.
Huawei gambling apps are also available but these are not as common in Nigeria as they are in places like South Africa, where the Chinese smartphone company has secured a strong slice of the market share.
Overall, Nigerian gambling apps are legal and will let you take part in most forms of online gambling, with these including sports betting, online casino, live casino, esports betting, lotteries and more.
History of gambling in Nigeria
Gambling in Nigeria long predates modern bookmaking. Among the Yoruba, the bean-counting board game Ayò Olópón (Ayoayo) has been played for generations — often socially, sometimes for small stakes—and is closely related to West Africa’s wider mancala tradition.
The first official structured gambling activity came in colonial times when Lagos Racecourse was opened after being granted land in 1859, with this quickly becoming popular with both ex-pats and locals, who are from the place that is now called Nigeria (it was formed in 1914).
Commercial wagering gathered pace in the late 20th/early 21st century with football pools and number-draw lotteries. A landmark moment came in 2001 with the launch of Premier Lotto (“Baba Ijebu”) in Lagos, which popularised daily number games and helped formalise retail lottery across the southwest before spreading nationally.
The first comprehensive federal framework arrived with the National Lottery Act 2005, which created the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and the National Lottery Trust Fund to oversee operators, protect players and channel part of proceeds to good causes—codifying consumer protection, licensing and compliance at the federal level.
At the same time, states—most prominently Lagos—built their own regimes. Lagos established the Lagos State Lotteries Board under the Lotteries Law 2004 (amended 2008) and later consolidated oversight through the Lagos State Lotteries & Gaming Authority Law 2021, which expressly brings “interactive/remote” gaming into scope. These laws pioneered the licensing of lotteries, pools, sports betting and promotional contests at state level.
A constitutional reset followed on 22 November 2024, when Nigeria’s Supreme Court held that the National Lottery Act does not apply within the states, limiting federal authority (via the NLRC) to the FCT (Abuja). Since then, gaming has been regulated primarily by state laws and regulators (e.g., LSLGA in Lagos), with the federal framework remaining relevant in the FCT.
Gambling remains popular in Nigeria and is perfectly legal, with retail lottery and sports betting shops dotted around the country, while licensing bodies, like the aforementioned Lagos regulator, commonly regulate online casinos and bookmakers at a state level.
In short, the history of gambling in Nigeria is a diverse topic, that spans close to 200 years in written history, with traditional games like Ayò remaining popular despite the abundance of new gambling activities available online.
Payment options at Nigerian gambling sites
Depositing money to Nigerian gambling sites is relatively simple if you want to wager with the Naira, with bank transfer, cards, payment processors, and various web wallet options available.
USSD payments are very popular in Nigeria, with this one way you can fund your account even if you don’t have a bank card or account, with this option also suitable for those with a weak internet connection or no smartphone.
Bank cards are popular across Nigeria, with Verve the local answer to Visa, which is also frequently found as a payment option at gambling sites.
Quickteller, which is part of the Interswitch brand along with Verve, allows you to fund your account instantly, online, at participating ATMs or via the app. Major regulated gambling operators in Nigeria have embraced the Interswitch payments with these including Bet9ja and BetKing.
Deposit options at Nigerian gambling sites include:
- Bank transfers
- USSD Payments
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Verve
- Quickteller
- QR Codes
- OPay
Nigerian online gambling FAQ
Online gambling in Nigeria is very popular, but it can leave you with a lot of questions. Drop us a message in the box below or email us at contact@worldgamblinglist.com if you want to ask us anything.
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What’s the legal age to gamble online, and what KYC documents do I need?
The legal gambling age in Nigeria is 18. Gambling sites will commonly request KYC or Know Your Player information, to verify your identity. Suitable documents can include a government-issued ID although most will be verified instantly via the details they provide during the sign up process.
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Are online casinos legally licensed anywhere in Nigeria?
Yes, Nigerian gambling sites offer various casino games for real money, including slots, live dealer and various other iGames.
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Is Opay available at Nigerian gambling sites?
Yes, O-Pay is available at Nigerian gambling sites as a payment method. It’s the biggest Fintech company in this African country.
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Are there fees, limits, or failures to watch for with USSD or bank transfers?
Banks in Nigeria will usually cap Electronic Funds Transfers (NIP) ₦10 (although we have seen it as high as ₦5,000 for big transfers). Occasionally things go wrong with USSD payments, so always keep proof of your payment.
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Do licensed operators segregate player funds or hold security bonds for player protection?
Yes, gambling operators in Nigeria are required to keep players’ funds seperate to operations money, while they are also required to pay a heft bond when securing licensing.
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Can I deposit with crypto at Nigerian gambling sites?
Locally licensed gambling sites in Nigeria do not accept crypto payments, although there are offshore bitcoin casinos that will.
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Can I use dollar or foreign money cards to fund online gambling in Nigeria?
