With 2023 being a year for major improvements regarding the security of Nigerian online casinos, the iGaming industry here is on the rise. Responsible gaming, better regulation and a stronger focus on player safety are all contributing to easier access to safe gaming.
As Africa‘s most populated country — there are over 185 million people here — Nigeria has one of the world’s largest economies, sitting in the top twenty. Commonly seen as a harmless activity, gambling has been legalized since the 1990s and as much as 50% of the population regularly gambles. With online gambling platforms becoming widely accessible, the new regulations implemented by the Nigerian government couldn’t come at a better time. Of course, there are growing concerns surrounding problem gambling and what this could mean for the gaming industry in the future. That being said, the Nigerian government appears to be well on the way to addressing this, making it even easier for Nigerians to access a wealth of quality games purely for entertainment.
Spinning the reels
As with many other countries, some of the most popular casino games are undoubtedly slot games. These come in many different types and some of the top games can be found at sites like fruityslots.com. Understanding the different types of slot games is key to being able to play games successfully online.
As is the case around the world, some of the most prevalent slot games for Nigerians are video slots. Typically containing 5 reels, these games also come with various in-game bonuses and game mechanics. Not only can players find free spins, wilds, scatters, multipliers and so on, but there are payline mechanics such as Megaways that offer thousands of ways to win as well. This is in direct contrast to classic slots, which typically have three reels and no additional game mechanics.
Other slot options include the vastly popular progressive jackpots such as Mega Moolah. Such games have top prizes that continue to grow as more players join in and place bets to spin the reels. These prizes can often reach millions of dollars before they’re finally won and paid out.
Whatever slots Nigerians prefer, there is now a wealth of them available. With stricter regulations in place, more providers such as 7777 Gaming are moving into the Nigerian gaming space, bringing diversity and quality to online casinos.
Playing a hand or two
While slots remain hugely popular on a global scale, within the Nigerian gambling space, card and table games also reign. Nigerian casinos are home to an ever-increasing selection of virtual table games. These include blackjack, baccarat, roulette and video poker.
Each of these games is available in many different formats, providing players with games offering varying rules. For instance, there are American, European and French roulette options available. Currently, the most popular of these is European roulette. Consequently, there are numerous versions with different themes found across Nigerian casinos.
Poker is also a very popular option, particularly when it comes to video poker, which is played against the computer. With an incredibly high return to player rate (RTP), video poker games are a go-to for many Nigerian players.
Taking it live
With advancements in the Nigerian iGaming market being made all the time, it should come as no surprise to learn that live casinos online are a firm fixture. Just as they are around the world, online live casino games provide Nigerians with an immersive casino option but from the comfort of home.
Of course, there are also several land-based Nigerian casinos available, but this can require a lot of travel for many players, something many simply cannot afford. However, with mobile network infrastructures improving, and Nigerian casinos offering an increasing number of user-friendly apps, online casinos are more accessible than ever. And this is where live games come into play.
Streamed directly to the player’s device and operated by a real dealer, these games provide an online experience closest to that of in-person gaming. Players can chat with the dealer directly, as well as talk to other players. Live casino game collections are still relatively small at this time, and are predominantly in English. However, as the Nigerian gaming industry expands, expect to see a wider array of live games, likely in different languages too.
Cryptocurrency and crash gaming
At this time, cryptocurrency is a major payment gateway at Nigerian online casinos. It therefore stands to reason that there are a number of top crypto and crash games available. Depending on the casino, crash games on offer include Aviator, JetX, Spaceman and Balloon Run. These provide provably fair gaming, while offering a slightly different slant to the world of casinos.
Across the board, the selection of games is still somewhat limited in the country. But with time, we can expect this to significantly improve.
Putting money on sports
Unsurprisingly, it’s not just online casinos that are on the rise in Nigeria. The online sports betting world is also booming. Already relatively well established, it’s expected that Nigeria’s sports betting market will grow by nearly 7% each year. There are many different sports available to bet on, though the most popular sport remains soccer.
Access to top soccer leagues such as the English Premier League, has continued to push Nigerians into their interest in sports betting. In fact, on any Nigerian sportsbook (often attached to an online casino), players will find tons of other soccer leagues, specials and player props to enjoy as well. Zoom soccer, Saudi Arabian leagues and esports soccer also all feature heavily, making the online betting world a veritable haven for Nigerian soccer lovers. Of course, there are other sports available too and these include basketball, tennis, rugby and many more.
Needless to say, Nigerians are loving the new and improved changes to online gaming. With better access to a wider range of games, it looks like the industry is only going to keep expanding. And, as the Nigerian online gaming market improves its safety procedures, more and more high-profile providers are allowing online Nigerian casinos to offer their games. All in all, it’s looking good for players here.
