Gambling has changed the mindset of many people across the world. From being something addictive to being something that is purely for entertainment, gambling has proved that some activities are undertaken for additional value in life.
Nigeria had little to no contact with gambling. The presence was restricted to luxury hotels or a few streets, a sign that only the elite had the potential to enter the doors to gambling activities.
The Internet has changed a lot, not just for the industry but also for the commoners. According to estimates, more than half of the Nigerian adult population has taken up gambling activities. The majority of them are gambling only for fun. Nigeria’s most common gambling activities are sports betting, online casinos, and lottery.
Sports betting is what everyone around the world engages with. Nigeria is no different, except that the population has a special place for placing a wager on football. A close watch for EPL and bets on teams like Arsenal & Manchester United is a common occurrence. Researchers have concluded that approximately 60 million Nigerians bet on sports annually, contributing $2 billion to the industry in value.
Football holds a special place as the team has appeared in the fifth position very often, making it a pride of every Nigerian. Therefore, followers of the international league can be easily found in the region.
Betting shops on every second street have made sports betting accessible to all. With the Internet being in power along with several sports betting sites in Nigeria, it has become easier for Nigerians to place their bets from anywhere and at any time.
Online casinos made their debut in Nigeria in recent years. Despite over-optimistic estimates, the category has done wonders in hosting 55 million citizens in every casino-related game. Moreover, Nigerians can interact with real dealers from the comfort of their homes by enabling the camera feature on their devices. European and American casinos attract a larger crowd with over a hundred titles. Online casino gaming has a range of online activities where the players can interact with several real dealers as they play games like Slots, roulette, and blackjack.
A lottery is a rather more known gambling activity in Nigeria. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission, established in 2005, has worked tirelessly to provide licenses to operators. The significant contribution remains from those who allow Nigerians to access the platform through mobile devices. US Lotteries deliver rewards in billions through Powerball and Mega Millions. The odds are one in a billion, but participants are still attracted to it for its rewards.
Gambling remains a hot topic of discussion in many countries. Countries that have established authorities and laws to identify gambling as a legal activity has provided a source of entertainment to their citizens and a source of taxes for the government. However, lottery gambling has become one of the most sought-after activities in Nigeria over the years. Similarly, with the ongoing development of online games, internet supply, licenses, and others. Consequently, this has enabled in accessing the overseas lotteries as well.
