Sports betting has become a very popular form of entertainment and an avenue for making money across the globe, including in Nigeria. It is a form of gambling that involves predicting the outcome of a sporting event and placing a bet on the result. In Nigeria, sports betting has gained popularity among youths who see it as a way to earn money, but there has been a growing concern about the impact of gambling activity on the society, especially on the younger generation of people.
But it is possible to see that there are a lot of great betting websites that have become available for people to use for bets in the country. One of them is Surebet – a very strong brand that has got attention from millions of people and now rises to become the next big thing for the gambling industry, just like much older companies. This article will discuss the official Nigerian policy over sportsbooks.
History of Sportsbooks in Nigeria
Sports betting has been in Nigeria for over a decade. The first official company in Nigeria, NairaBet, was launched in 2009. Since then, many other brands have emerged, including:
- Bet9ja;
- SportyBet;
- BetKing;
- Surebet.
The popularity of sports betting in Nigeria has grown rapidly, with many youths embracing it as a way to earn money. The sports betting industry in Nigeria is estimated to be worth over $2 billion.
Official Nigerian Policy over Sports Betting
The Nigerian government has been concerned about the impact of gambling on the society, especially on the youth. In 2015, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) issued a directive to all sportsbook companies in Nigeria to obtain a license from the commission. The commission also imposed a 7.5% tax on all winnings by customers of sportsbook companies.
In 2018, the Nigerian government issued a directive to the NLRC to regulate the gambling industry in Nigeria. The directive included a list of guidelines for the regulation of the industry, including:
- The introduction of a minimum age limit for sports betting. The NLRC set the minimum age limit for gamblers at 18 years. This was done to ensure that only mature individuals who understand the risks involved in betting participate in the activity.
- The introduction of a self-exclusion policy. The NLRC directed all gambling companies in Nigeria to introduce a self-exclusion policy. This policy allows individuals to exclude themselves from gambling activities for a certain period of time. This was done to address the issue of addiction and to provide support for individuals who are struggling with addiction.
- The introduction of responsible gambling policies. The NLRC directed all companies of this industry in Nigeria to introduce responsible gambling policies. These policies are aimed at ensuring that individuals participate in sportsbook activities responsibly, without putting themselves or others at risk.
- The introduction of a levy. The Nigerian government introduced a 2% gambling levy. This levy is to be paid by all sports betting companies in Nigeria and is aimed at generating revenue for the government.
All of these guidelines show that it is possible to open the official business that is centred around sports betting and gambling overall. But it is important to keep in mind that it should correspond with the local law and be a nice place that has a strict responsible gambling policy being enabled.
Impact of Nigerian Policy over Sports Betting
The official Nigerian policy over sports betting has had a positive impact on the industry. The regulation of the industry has provided a level of transparency and accountability, which has led to the growth of the industry. The introduction of responsible gambling policies has also helped to address the issue of addiction, which was a major concern.
However, the impact of the policy has not been all positive. The introduction of the 2% gambling levy has led to an increase in the cost of operation for betting companies in Nigeria. This has, in turn, led to an increase in the cost of betting for customers.
Conclusion
The official Nigerian policy over sportsbooks has been a step in the right direction. The regulation of the industry has provided a level of transparency and accountability, and the introduction of responsible gambling policies has helped to address the issue of addiction. However, there is still a need for more to be done to address the negative impact of sports betting on the society, especially on the youth. The government and the NLRC should continue to monitor the industry and ensure that all gambling companies comply with the guidelines for the regulation of gambling activity.