The online gambling industry is colossal, and seeing as it’s currently valued at just over 90 billion dollars — it’s a force to be reckoned with. It’s been seeing an exponential growth of 10% year on year, and although countries like Nigeria don’t stand at the forefront for being one of the most online casino-dabbling countries — they manage to stand their ground when it comes to playing.
If you were to compare the whole of Africa and who puts this continent on the map in regards to online gambling, it would most definitely be Nigeria. People love it for its usability and fun, and for being an easy way to safely spend money and entertain themselves. Nigerians spend close to 1 billion dollars PER DAY on online betting sites, so you can bet your bottom dollar that they know what they’re doing.
The two countries in Africa that are particularly gambling crazy are Nigeria and South Africa, with betting and sports betting now forming a major part of their cultures. But certain specific games really take the prize for being the most popular on the market. We’re going to explore the top games in Nigeria and look at where they might be heading, because although land-based casinos have been a huge entity ever since the 1970s in Africa, the world of technology is taking over more and more each year.
1) Roulette
It may be one of the most popular land-based games on the market, but online roulette is also huge in Nigeria. With options of free bonuses when you first sign up, there’s no reason not to play this stimulatingly exciting game. The people of Nigeria love playing roulette online casino games for real money because it’s quick, easy, and very visually pleasing. Unlike online poker, where you have to sit and wait for your turn, roulette involves playing against a very intelligent piece of technology and is constantly engaging. Technological advances in the gambling space mean that games like this are only getting bigger and better, and gambling as a whole has produced some very famous moments in the past.
The game works by using random number-generating software to mirror the randomness, just like if you were in an actual casino. You can spin the wheel again and again, and you’ll consistently get utterly random results – proving that the house doesn’t have an unfair advantage by choosing the numbers for you. Roulette is usually a great way to play with chance and let the numbers decide.
2) Slots
Again, a quick, easy, and single-player method for placing a bet in the online casino: slots. It looks like Nigeria’s picks are all ones that you don’t have to wait on the other players for, and we don’t blame them. Slots in physical casinos are everywhere, and they bring together the cheapest form of betting, seeing as you can spend your last few cents on playing them. The appeal comes from their very evident ease of use: anyone anywhere can play because of how easy the game is. The physical slots, also known as fruit machines by some, offer some fun alternative ways of playing, but online slots show how advanced technology is paving the way.
3) 21 or Blackjack
It’s probably the world’s favourite game in the casino, whether it’s the brick-and-mortar version, or the games on your phone, and blackjack dominates the market in Nigeria. Also referred to as “21,” the game is about reaching the number 21 with your dealt hand, or getting it as close as possible.
Its popularity has grown from the big appearances it has on TV and movies, as it is the most used game in any gambling film. This starring in Hollywood has boosted the game’s prestige, making it the top choice for punters everywhere, including those who are just starting out. The goal is to beat the dealer by getting a better hand, and it’s all about the luck factor, so the thrill is high. In today’s new technological changes, it has become even simpler to play 21 at online casinos, as they always offer a low house edge.
It was adopted very quickly in Nigeria due to the accessibility to phones becoming better than ever before. Now, people have more spare time for leisure activities, and the number of individuals who have a phone is double what it was 5-10 years ago.
These three games are loved by Nigerians everywhere, and the online casino space is going to continue to flourish in all its glory because of the speed of technological advances. Technology is getting bigger, stronger, and ready to come up with wildly brilliant ideas all the time. We’ve now welcomed VR, AR, and AI into this space, so just imagine what games will be available in ten years. We’re thinking virtual reality poker tables? It’s only a matter of time, and we think the next generation of casino players is going to love it!
and then