Sports betting has become deeply woven into Nigeria’s modern culture. Nowadays, people can access different betting shops in urban centers and use apps to wager on what they want. It comes as no surprise that millions of Nigerians place bets daily, and they choose different kinds of sports. We at Efirbet NG understand that many of you want to know which options stand out, so let’s go through each sport and see why it is so popular.
Football
Football is a sport in a league of its own when it comes to popularity among bettors. It dominates almost all African countries and Nigeria is no exception. Football is a part of many people’s everyday lives, so it naturally translates into betting interest.
When it comes to the options that people bet on, there are several things that punters usually go for. Many local bettors follow the big European leagues like the English Premier League, Serie A and La Liga. Many also bet on the UEFA Champions League and all popular international competitions. The Premier League is probably the one that stands out because of Nigeria’s historical ties with England.
Another reason why football is so big in the country is that the sport offers countless betting options. You can wager on a given match’s result, Over/Under goals, Both Teams to Score, Correct Score, and more. It’s also worth mentioning that there are always football matches for you to bet on. Nigerians also wager heavily on local competitions.
Basketball
There is no denying that basketball is a close second in popularity among online bettors. Although it may not have that many fans among the older generation, it is particularly popular among youths.
Of course, the NBA is in a league of its own when it comes to popularity. The league enjoys a massive followership in the country and locals follow some of the big superstars in the American competition. Aside from that, many Nigerians also bet on the local basketball league or on some European championships.
Basketball offers rich statistical data and this seems to appeal to a lot of bettors. Bookmakers know how to take advantage of this, and often offer unique markets that are unavailable elsewhere.
If we compare basketball to football, we will see that the outcomes can often feel more predictable. This encourages bettors by making them feel more confident when wagering. In-Play betting is also huge among basketball fans because the sport provides a lot of exclusive options that others do not have.
Tennis
The third sport Nigerians love to bet on is tennis, and it is very different from the others. Truth be told, the country has fewer tennis fans than it does football or basketball fans. Despite that, local bettors recognize that the sport offers unique opportunities that are simply not available elsewhere.
Tennis does not offer any team dynamics, allowing bettors to focus on a single person’s form, fitness and head-to-head history. This makes analyzing a given match more straightforward and convenient for a lot of bettors.
Another advantage of betting on tennis is the numerous events available. Nigerians wishing to place bets can choose from events like the WTA, ATP, and loads of other options.
Tennis betting is very dynamic because the momentum can shift drastically during a match. This is especially true when people start following the big Grand Slam matches.
Similar to basketball, tennis is one of the sports that provides countless opportunities for live betting. You can expect to find many unique markets and odds that are often much better than people think.
Boxing
The next individual sport that people in Nigeria definitely like betting on is boxing. There are many reasons why the sport is big in the country, and one of them is Anthony Joshua. Some people from his family live in the country, and since he is among the best boxers, locals love him.
Boxing is one of those sports that some bettors like because it offers fewer variables. The sport looks simpler in terms of betting markets and this allows even inexperienced punters to understand it.
Another thing that makes the sport so appealing is the high-profile fights. Major bouts generate massive anticipation and media coverage, drawing casual and series bettors.
We also believe boxing is popular because Nigerians usually admire strength and resilience. All of these things, plus the fact that the odds can be good, make boxing an excellent choice for local bettors.
MMA
A lot of the things we mentioned about boxing also apply to MMA. Thanks to the UFC, the sport has seen rapid growth lately and a lot of people have started considering it when betting online. The sport offers a variety of bets, including knockouts, submissions, decisions, and more. Many bookmakers even have special round markets.
Something we have noticed about MMA is that some bookmakers can often have special bonuses. The short-term propositions are designed to attract people and “make them” place a bet on this sport.
Virtual Sports
The last option on the list is a little bit weird because it’s not a real sport. Modern bookmakers in Nigeria and other parts of the world will often have a virtual sports section that punters can enjoy. The thing that makes them so appealing is their 24/7 availability and the tons of options to choose from.
Virtual sports are available around the clock, allowing Nigerians to wager whenever they want. Another huge advantage is that they can learn the results quickly. There is no need to wait for hours.
Most of the virtual sports are easy to understand and there are usually at least a handful of options to pick from. Modern bookies will have football, basketball, tennis, racing, and so on.
