Sports betting in Nigeria has become a very popular activity in recent years. The country even has laws that distinguish betting sports from other gambling activities, as lawmakers have recognized that there is a skill element to this activity.
Thanks to this positive attitude and the nation’s general love for sports, football especially, the number of Nigerians getting involved with betting has constantly been increasing. With this rise in interest, the number of betting operators looking to get involved with the market has been steadily growing as well.
For punters, this is generally a good thing, as they have more options to choose from, access to better bonuses and promotions, and more competitive odds. The other side of that coin, however, is that it becomes harder to find safe and trustworthy bookmakers.
There are, unfortunately, many questionable betting sites currently offering their services in Nigeria. The goal of this quick guide is to help you recognize these so that you can stay away from them and only bet with the ones that you can trust.
Licensing Is Key
You’ve probably heard or read it countless times, but it simply can’t be overstated. When looking for safe betting sites in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world, licensing is key.
According to vanguardngr.com, there are many legal and trustworthy betting sites in Nigeria, so the options are out there. You just need to stay alert when making your choice.
The licensing info is usually contained at the bottom of the page, and you’ll want to play with sites that are either licensed locally or have trustworthy international licenses issued by the likes of Curacao or the Malta Gaming Authority.
By sticking to properly licensed operators, you’ll minimize the chances of anything going wrong and you losing your money due to the site refusing to cash you out. Furthermore, licensed sites tend to have clear terms and conditions, which allows you to focus on the betting experience instead of worrying about some nonsensical rules.
Check Max Cashout & Max Win Rules
Talking about nonsensical rules, there are many shady operators that protect their interests at the players’ expense. They have different limitations in place, in particular with regard to the amount you’re allowed to cash out during a certain period and the maximum win.
While certain restrictions for really big amounts are understandable, you should avoid operators that have really low restrictions. It is usually a sign that they don’t have a healthy money flow, which means they could go under at any time.
If an offshore bookmaker goes bust or disappears, you’ll probably be out of luck when it comes to getting your money back. Thus, it’s a good practice not to put yourself in that position in the first place.
Customer Support Tells the Tale
Finally, always take a few minutes to chat with customer support before depositing any money. How they treat you will tell you a lot about what you can expect from a bookmaker.
Support staff should be friendly and helpful. They are there to answer your questions and help you enjoy your experience. If they’re only interested in getting you to deposit money, it’s usually a significant red flag.
There isn’t a bulletproof way to figure this out. Simply take a few minutes to chat up a support representative and see how you like the vibe you’re getting from them!
