The iGaming industry has been growing in popularity all over the world, and Nigeria is no exception. Having been introduced in the early 2000s, the sector has slowly but steadily been developing a foothold in the country, and today there are countless iGaming websites in operation across the land.
But what’s behind the sudden surge of interest in online casinos websites? In this article, we’ll explore just some of the reasons why iGaming has become — and will likely remain — popular in Nigeria.
Advanced Websites
As we mentioned above, the first iGaming websites hit the Nigerian digital landscape back in the early 2000s. However, the sheer availability of such websites wasn’t enough to make the industry a hit. It wasn’t until modern, sophisticated websites arrived that people began making the most of all that they had to offer. Today’s iGaming websites have a sleek and modern design and robust functionality, resulting in a user experience that’s lightyears ahead of what was available in the past.
Widespread Smartphone Adoption
Modern iGaming websites function equally as well on smartphones as they do on desktops. And that’s good news for Nigerians, who are more likely to have a smartphone than a home computer. In 2020, the number of mobile internet users in Nigeria was a little more than 16 million; by 2024, that figure had jumped to more than 47 million. Today, users wishing to play at an online casino in Nigeria like Betano or any of the industry’s other leading names don’t need to have a computer. They can simply use their mobile device. The number of mobile internet users is expected to reach 100 million by 2029, which will significantly expand the Nigerian iGaming industry’s reach.
Full-Service iGaming Experience
Nigerians would have been unlikely to turn to iGaming websites were they not confident that those websites offer what they’re looking for. The best iGaming websites offer full-service experiences. For instance, they’ll have all the most popular table games, the latest slot games, and betting offers on football and other popular sports. That allows people interested in using these services the chance to get just what they’re after, all from one convenient space and without having to sign up for different websites. Whether it’s a game of blackjack or backing a team to win, it can all happen within one platform.
It Caters to the Whole Population
More than 200 million people live in Nigeria, but not many of them live within easy reaching distance of a casino. The best real-world casino is located in Lagos, which might be fine if you live there, but many Nigerians don’t. While it’s the most populous region in Nigeria, the fact is that more than 70% of Nigerians live outside of Lagos. For those people, iGaming websites don’t just offer convenience; in many cases, they’re the only place where they can realistically use such services. Even for people in Lagos, there are only a couple of casinos to go to. The Federal Palace Hotel & Casino, which is suitable for a big night in the town, isn’t a convenient option for people who don’t want to go through the process of travelling through the busy Lagos streets.
It’s a Growing Industry
The iGaming industry has well and truly arrived in Nigeria, and what’s most exciting is that it doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon. This is very much a sector on the grow, and in the coming years, we can expect to see even more development that will result in an even better consumer experience. As in other countries in the world, we might just be on the cusp of the golden age of iGaming in Nigeria.
