How Tech Is Changing Football Betting in Nigeria

Nigeria now has one of the largest sports-betting markets in Africa. Multiple surveys and official statements confirm that betting has become a routine part of daily life for millions of citizens.

Technology shapes how bettors place wagers. Many punters compare changes in football odds to the way forex traders track small price movements using a pips calculator. These comparisons reflect how digital tools influence perceptions of risk and reward in both finance and betting. Mobile apps make it possible to monitor odds, fund accounts, and withdraw winnings within seconds.

The scale of activity is significant. Reports presented to the National Lottery Trust Fund in 2023 estimated that 60–65 million Nigerians actively engage in betting. The same report stated that 14 million bets are placed each day, with an estimated US$5.5 million spent daily. Other surveys place the average daily spend at around ₦3,000 per bettor. These figures demonstrate continuous market expansion between 2023 and 2025.

Youth participation drives most of the volume. A GeoPoll survey from 2024 reported that 65.32% of young Nigerians have placed a bet. Participation is highest among those aged 18–34, and more than 70% of bettors are men. According to the same survey, 32% bet weekly, and 17.76% bet daily. Football betting dominates the sector, accounting for 75–85% of all wagers based on industry analyses from early 2025.

Digital payments support the surge in activity. A 2025 market report estimated that 92.8% of wagers in Nigeria occur online or via mobile devices. Bank transfers and card payments remain dominant because mobile-money penetration is only 4% nationwide. Payment gateways such as Flutterwave and Paystack enable fast deposits and withdrawals. NIBSS data indicates that Nigeria is becoming increasingly cash-lite, with cash transactions falling from 91% of all payments in 2019 to 55% in 2023. This shift encourages more mobile-based betting.

New digital products continue to enter the market. In October 2025, LiveScore Bet launched Playbook Football in Nigeria. The platform blends virtual football decision-making with real-money wagering. This model reflects a broader trend toward interactive “game-plus-betting” technology that appeals to younger users and reinforces the movement away from physical bet shops.

Regulation has changed significantly since late 2024. In November 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the National Lottery Act (2005) was unconstitutional. This decision transferred all gambling regulation to individual states. As a result, 22 states formed the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) to coordinate policies. The group introduced the Universal Reciprocity Certificate (URC), allowing a betting licence issued in one member state to be recognised across others. Licensing costs vary widely: Lagos requires about ₦100 million for an online betting licence, while Oyo State mandates 15% local ownership for foreign operators.

The economic footprint continues to grow. Analysts project that Nigeria’s betting sector could generate over US$3.63 billion in revenue by the end of 2025, with an expected annual growth rate of 16%. Industry observers note that betting revenue has already surpassed that of several other entertainment sectors.

Social concerns have risen alongside growth. A 2025 academic study of Nigerian undergraduates found that 14.3% met the criteria for problem gambling. Among those who had gambled within the past year, the rate increased to 47.2%. The study also reported that 64.2% of student gamblers experienced academic problems linked to betting. The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority recorded over 180 addiction-related distress calls between January and July 2024. These findings indicate that gambling has become a public-health issue in need of stronger intervention.

Financial regulators have also raised concerns. A 2025 briefing by the Securities and Exchange Commission noted that more than 60 million Nigerians gamble daily, while fewer than three million Nigerians invest in the capital market. This imbalance highlights long-term financial risks, particularly among younger adults who increasingly treat betting as a source of income rather than entertainment.

Smartphone adoption, fintech infrastructure, state-level licensing and rapid product innovation continue to shape football betting in Nigeria. The trend points toward deeper digital integration, higher participation levels and growing regulatory scrutiny. As the industry expands through 2025, technology remains central to how Nigerians interact with football, money and digital risk.