A history of iGaming in Nigeria

However, market growth in iGaming is being seen across the world, with new technology and concepts delivering players a captivating experience. Africa is one of the fastest growing markets in this constantly evolving form of entertainment. 

As we shall see, Nigeria is among those nations currently looking to further engage with this valuable industry.

iGaming in Nigeria began to develop as it did in other parts of the world with the advent of new technology. 

The greater speed, power and reliability of computer development began in earnest with the new millennium. It has allowed gaming portals a dedicated way to enhance the gaming opportunities for players throughout the country. 

Before the year 2000, gaming and sports betting in Nigeria were largely based around physical casino and sports events. Sports betting has been popular in Nigeria for many years, with most of the activity based on football matches. The football pools, which offers players the chance to predict the outcomes of games, was a major part of the gaming world.

The legal landscape also began to change from the 1990’s onwards, with new policies and legal structure put in place to regulate the gaming markets. A substantial alteration to the gaming practises in Nigeria came with the 1990 Criminal Code Act. This ruling made many forms of gambling activity in the country officially legal and organised.

The new code was seen by the government as a profitable way to generate tax from the gaming industry while also making the market safer for players.

In the past, Nigerians have tended to favour land based-lotteries and sports betting. There are however sure signs that the nation is tapping into the vast potential of iGaming. 

Players in Nigeria can now enjoy a whole host of gaming platforms that provide enjoyable games and experiences. An online casino with many games is perfectly able to offer players in the country a whole host of choice. Table casino games such as poker and roulette have been brilliantly adapted to an online platform.

Slots are another excellent example of a traditionally land-based physical form of gaming making the most of an online audience. New styles and themes linking in to popular cultural references and entertainment have made online slots one of the most popular online games of all. 

Nigeria is a land of over 211 million people, and is currently seeing a boost in online gaming audiences. It is estimated that the country’s online gambling market generates between 400 and 500 billion every year.

This is set to rise with the recent boost to online gaming looking to grow even further. 

Currently, the laws in Nigeria are not specific about iGaming. While it is not legal for providers to be based in Nigeria itself, there is nothing to stop overseas providers from offering their services to the country. 

The legalities surrounding iGaming is also complicated in South Africa. While it is forbidden to run an online casino in the country, players are free to play on international platforms.

Kenya has taken a different route by legalizing all forms of gambling both offline and online. The nation taxes winning at 20%, thereby making a profitable method of regulating gaming. 

The rise of mobile betting and smartphone technology has greatly assisted in the development of iGaming everywhere. This is also true in Nigeria, where more companies and consumers are starting to take notice of what it has to offer the entertainment industry. 

Most reputable online gaming platforms now have fully integrated mobile versions for use on tablets and smartphones. Players can turn to downloadable apps to contain everything they need for a secure and convenient game. This has had a strong effect on the industry. It has seen gamers move away from traditional venues to embrace the online casino.

No longer do gamers need to make the trip to a physical casino to play games. Online casinos are also open all the time, so gamers can play whenever they want to.

Many top online casino operators have sites that are fully accessible with Nigerian mobile providers. Again, the combination of the latest online technology and smart hardware offers gamers in the country the most engaging ways to pursue their gaming passions. 

Moving forward, it looks likely that online gaming will continue to grow in popularity in Nigeria. It is also probable that more people will keep signing up with providers to play games and win real rewards. 

As the online gaming industry grows, it is reasonable to assume that the Nigerian will seek to benefit further. It could do this by making the laws surrounding online gaming less confusing. 

It is reasonable to assume that this will be addressed in the future. By properly assessing the potential value of iGaming to the country and its residents, Nigeria could benefit along with rest of the industry. 

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