Nigeria’s betting sector posts solid growth in Q1 2025
About 60 million Nigerians place sports bets online every day.
Nigeria.- Nigeria’s betting industry showed remarkable growth in the first quarter of 2025, outperforming expectations despite the country’s economic challenges.
Industry analysts suggest that the country’s gambling market will continue to experience an upward trend, with revenue expected to reach $3.63bn by the end of 2025.
Sports betting, the most popular gambling activity in the country, accounts for a substantial portion of the sector’s revenue. The market has experienced rapid growth thanks to a number of factors, including widespread internet access, a growing player base and expanding network coverage.
The proliferation of mobile technology has also contributed immensely to the growth of the sports betting industry. Due to the convenience online betting offers, about 92.8% of Nigerians now prefer to place their wagers online or through mobile apps, rather than visit physical betting shops.
Nigerian leading sportsbooks leverage this trend by offering user-friendly mobile apps, fast and secure payment systems and features like cashout and bet boosters, which encourage bettors to keep coming back for more action.
In terms of sport, football is the most followed and, consequently, the most bet on sport in Nigeria, generating 85% of total wagers. Competitions like the English Premier League, La Liga, French Ligue 1, UEFA Champions League and the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) attract the highest number of bets from Nigerian football fans.
Balancing Revenue and Responsibility
According to recent statistics, 60 million Nigerians place an average of $15 on online sports bets every day. This makes the sports betting industry a cash cow for bookmakers and the government through taxation.
However, while the sector’s expansion presents lucrative revenue opportunities for the government, it raises concerns about the social impact of widespread gambling and the need for effective regulation to protect vulnerable citizens.
Stakeholders want the government to do more in areas of responsible gaming initiatives, consumer protection policies and fair play measures to guarantee a safe and reliable betting environment.
Independent NGOs like Gamble Alert are taking a proactive stance to address the social risks linked to gambling by organising responsible gaming symposiums and collaborating with other industry stakeholders.
