Alexa ranked sports betting sites among the 50 most visited websites in Nigeria. Bet9ja.com, Bet9ja2.com, 1Xbet.ng and Sportybet respectively ranked 3rd, 16th, 40th and 47th on the top searches of the year.
Sports betting business spreads as a result of the increase in internet penetration. Majority of unemployed youths have found trying their luck on sporting games a new addict. About 60 million Nigerian youths are actively involved in sports betting, according to estimates.
There are approximately 169 mobile phone subscribers and 100 million internet users in the country. About 80% of these figures are able to access the internet via mobile phones. The arrays of sports betting outlets in almost every street in the country serves as evidence.
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Apart from the betting sites, Alexa also listed Livescore.com and Goal.com as most visited websites in Nigeria. Livescore.com provides information about football games while Goal.com shares betting tips to help users make betting decisions. The passionate love for football and other sports is the reason why most youths visit these sites.
Similar Web, another ranking site listed some betting sites as most visited websites in Nigeria. According to Alexa’s report, Bet9ja.com ranked 3rd followed by Betking.com – 9th, Betradar.com – 14th, Bet9ja2.com – 17th, Sportybet.com – 18th, and Betpawa.ng – 23rd. Other betting sites listed include Shop.bet9ja.com – 24th, Nairabet.com – 41st, Merrybet.com – 42nd and Forebet.com – 45th.
The sports betting market in West Africa is estimated at $2 billion and is expected to grow with the rate of internet and mobile phone penetration. Due to this growth the Nigerian government plans to charge 5% VAT on each lottery and gaming transaction.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service will collected the tax when the bill is passed into law. This law will help the government generate revenue, as well as reduce gambling addiction.