Nigeria has a strong gambling culture, which is why it has hardly been a surprise that the online casino industry has managed to boom significantly over the last decade or so. With accessibility and convenience greater than ever through various advancements involving technology, the sector will likely only continue to keep growing at the rapid pace that has been experienced.
Many Nigerians live outside of the biggest cities like Lagos, meaning they did not always have the possibility of heading to a traditional brick-and-mortar casino. They would have to plan their journeys and trips could be very time-consuming. With the way many in the country live their lives, their busy schedules simply did not always allow for them to head to these physical venues.
The emergence of online casinos has allowed them to access their favorite games and utilize the great bonuses that they can find after they have read this article on their preferred or favored devices. Since iGaming can be played via smartphones and tablets while out and about or at home on computing devices, accessibility and convenience continue to drive its expansion across Nigeria.
The history of online gambling in Nigeria
Although Nigeria has always had a strong gambling culture, with many enjoying playing casino games or placing bets on sporting events such as when wagering on their favorite football teams, the online casino industry is one that has only really started to take off in the last 15 years or so.
According to data, it is understood that the first time residents in the African nation had managed to experience the activity was around 2006. Before being able to play through a website, they would have to download software that would then allow them to play the games they wanted.
Since the advent and proliferation of smartphones and other portable technologies, players have taken more notice and been playing more often. They’ve embraced these devices more than ever, increasing their overall playing activity exponentially.
The legality around online casinos in Nigeria
As is experienced across numerous countries, there are some grey areas that need to be considered that can help create an understanding of why the iGaming industry has boomed throughout Nigeria over the last couple of decades.
Casinos and the games that are playable were not widely accepted, with the African nation having only permitted a couple of casinos to be legally opened and made available. However, the laws had been a little outdated for a while and there had been nothing that specifically outlawed the usage of the internet to play gambling games. This did change in 2016, as the Nigerian government decided to introduce regulations that legalized operators who were offering their services in the country. Many are waiting for the Central Bank to change its decision regarding cryptocurrency and the ban it placed on it.
Verdict
With each of the advantages and benefits that Nigerians are able to obtain, it is hardly a surprise to learn that the iGaming industry is booming in the populous country. Online casinos have become a source of entertainment for many residents, and with a culture of gambling already in place, it was only a matter of time before the sites were embraced and widely used.