Are Online Casino Games Illegal in Nigeria

Are Online Casino Games Illegal in Nigeria

Gambling has always existed in Nigeria; however, in the past, it was viewed as an antisocial activity and was greatly discouraged by the church, which warned against the quest for quick wealth.

However, in the late 1990s, the Nigerian government legalized certain forms of gambling to generate tax revenues. This move made gambling more acceptable to the public.

Currently, gambling in Nigeria is regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, which was legalized in 2005 under the National Lottery Act 2005. The law distinguishes between games of skill (legal) and games of chance (illegal).

Legal forms of gambling in Nigeria include land-based casinos, the lottery, and sports betting. On the other hand, non-skilled card games, dice games, and roulette are considered illegal. In addition, there’s no specific provision in the law that regulates online gambling, including online casino games.

Here’s what you should know about Nigeria’s legality of online casino games.

Which Rules Regulate Online Casino Games in Nigeria?

The National Lottery Commission regulates gambling in Nigeria. However, the Nigerian Lottery Commission regulates online gambling activities in the country.

However, no Nigerian law prohibits locals from placing bets on offshore or foreign gambling sites. Still, most online bookies available in the country follow the laws and regulations that land casinos would. They also don’t offer illegal games in the country.

It’s advisable to only gamble with sites that have earned a license from at least one internationally respected regulator.

You should also know that the legal gambling age in Nigeria is 18 years. Bookies impose gambling limits, but since it isn’t required, you might not encounter this on some of them.

It’s a legal requirement for online gambling sites to verify players’ age when they sign up to curb underage gambling. This might require providing photographic identification; therefore, be sure to have copies of your ID ready when you join.

There are no strict regulations in place when it comes to transactions. For example, offshore bookies can only offer their services in some countries if they accept the country’s currency. However, this is different in Nigeria. Some popular payment solutions include digital wallets, credit and debit cards, and USSD services.

What Are Some of the Platforms That Support Online Casino Games in Nigeria?

Online casino games are websites that host digital versions of land-based casino games such as roulette, slots, poker, baccarat, and poker, among many other games. This kind of gambling is very popular in Nigeria since the law doesn’t prohibit players from signing up for foreign gambling sites.

While most online gamblers in Nigeria tend to be drawn to sports betting, online casinos also provide plenty of excitement. The most popular online casino games among Nigerian players are slots because of their endless variations in designs, payout systems, aesthetics, and betting options.

Before you sign up for any online casino games, check the quality of its gambling products. For example, ensure that the site includes a wide selection of games from software developers with strong reputations.

Here are some of the platforms that support online casino games in Nigeria:

Best New Player Bonuses

You know there’s a new player bonus if you’ve been comparing online casino games for a while. These bonuses are offered to new customers so that players can have an enjoyable start to their visit.

Here are some platforms that support offering the best new player bonuses for online casinos:

Betway

Betway offers a simple yet classy online casino making it the perfect gambling site for casino newbies. So if you’re looking to start an adventure in online casinos, you can check out the Betway casino.

The casino includes around 30 online slots and popular table games like Roulette and Blackjack. In addition, the casino also comprises scratch games, video poker, and progressive jackpots, which give you a chance to win large sums of money from minimal stakes.

For online casinos, it’s common for bonus funds or free slot spins to be awarded after your first deposits. For example, Betway Nigeria only offers 100% up to ₦100,000 for new customers. After that, a minimum deposit and 50x bonus wagering apply.

WilliamHill Poker

If you’re into online poker, WilliamHill Poker, you can deposit and get a £100 bonus. This bonus applies to new customers only, and full terms apply.

Impressive Payout Rates

Fairness is an essential feature that gambling sites must offer. However, there are already a lot of risks involved with making a bet; therefore, find an online casino with impressive payout rates.

Reputable gambling sites will have the fairness of their games reviewed and verified by independent testing laboratories such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs to ensure that their games aren’t manipulated or less fair than advertised.

Here are some online casino game sites with average payout rates:

Betway

Betway Nigeria has a payout rate of 95.57%, verified by eCOGRA. The best payout game on this platform is All Aces Poker.

WilliamHill Poker

WilliamHill Poker offers a payout rate of 96.05%, and the payout is verified by eCOGRA. The best payout game on this platform is Texas Hold’em.

Other Platforms That Support Online Casino Games in Nigeria

Here are some other amazing platforms that support online casino games in Nigeria:

1xBet Casino

1xBet houses one of the largest online casinos, making it a favorite destination for casino players worldwide.

1xBet casino is so enormous that it can be overwhelming for beginners; however, don’t worry because you can always find your way using different filters. For example, a categories filter allows you to choose a particular group of games. You can also use the search bar at the top of the page to find the exact games you’re looking for.

If you feel stuck, there’s an online consultant ready to help. The live chat support is available 24/7, and the response is always prompt.

In addition to having a great online casino, 1xBet rewards its customers with attractive bonuses and promotions. It offers an impressive 200% welcome bonus for new online casino customers, staggered across your first four deposits, while you also get a 50% loyalty bonus on your tenth deposit.

Remember that you can always play casino games for free to understand what they’re all about before investing your money in the games.

Bet9ja Casino

Only a few Nigerian bookmakers have online casinos, and Bet9ja is one of the leading ones in this area.

The gambling site has a great collection of casino games, offering table games like Blackjack and Baccarat and other popular games like arcades and online slots. Bet9ja is unremarkable by the global standard; however, compared to its local rivals, it’s very impressive.

The online casino is neatly structured, with the games grouped under appropriate headings. For example, if you click the casino tab on the home page, you’ll find a casino submenu with headings like Arcade, Table Games, Slots, TV Games, and Numbers. You can also opt for the live casino if you want a more interactive experience.

Bet9ja is less cluttered and easily navigable, making it a great place to start your casino adventure.

Why Do Nigerians Prefer Sports Betting to Online Casino Games?

Although sports betting and online casino games are quite similar, there’s a significant difference in how you place bets and calculate your wins in sports betting versus casino games.

If you play online casino games, you probably know the term “house hedge.” It’s the mathematical advantage that casinos have over wagering players. Every casino needs to win more than their player to help them turn a profit and stay in business.

Over the years, these casino odds have been successful because it still allows lucky gamblers to win from smaller amounts and huge jackpots.

On the other hand, when it comes to sports betting, the odds are worked out based on the chances of something happening. To keep in business, sports book casinos reserve a percentage of betting proceeds which gamblers call the “juice” or “vig.” This commission is taken from the losing side of a wager.

Nigerians prefer sports betting to online casino games because you need to get lucky to win at a casino game. However, in sports betting, you can use your knowledge of a particular sport, make informed choices, place enough bets to beat the “vig,” and get a realistic shot at the money.

However, it’s best to understand that it depends on your interest. You can opt for online sports betting or online casino games, depending on what you want to get out of gambling.

If you have the patience to learn about all the nitty gritty of your favorite sport, you’ll be able to make informed decisions and improve your chances of winning money. On the other hand, if gambling is about entertainment and you play in the hopes that lady luck will smile, then you can opt for online casino games.

Time Stamp:

More from Sports Betting Tricks