Nigeria’s sports betting industry is thriving, with more people, especially youths, showing interest daily.
This growth can be attributed to the popularity of sports in the country, the increasing use of mobile devices, the internet, and the availability of different betting options across various sports.
One of the sports that are fast gaining popularity in the country betting scene is the horse racing niche.
The British introduced it, and various sports betting websites licensed under the National Lottery Regulatory Commission offer horse racing betting.
In this article, we will delve into horse racing betting in Nigeria and answer the question: Is it legal? And how do horse racing odds work?
Horse Racing Betting in Nigeria
Horse racing and betting in Nigeria date back to the colonial era. The British elite organized the first recorded horse race in the country, which was held in 1894 in Lagos.
The sport continued to grow even after the nation gained independence in 1960. More tracks were added, and more tournaments were founded.
Top Venues to Attend Horse Racing Games in Nigeria
The Nigeria Racing Commission (NRC) organizes all horse racing events in the country and ensures all activities are conducted safely and fairly.
The country’s top horse racing tracks are Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Abuja. There are several others, but these three host races regularly.
The Ikeja Saddle Club in Lagos is one of the biggest and oldest venues in the country. It is currently Nigeria’s main race track for horse racing and development.
Alongside hosting horse racing games, other sports like jumping, polo, and gymkhanas regularly hold in the arena.
Nigerian horse racing live on television
Several television companies are looking to broadcast official horse races within Nigeria. Once this happens, it will increase the sport’s popularity and make it more accessible to locals far away from the racetracks.
Until this happens, you can enjoy the game by placing bets and watching live updates online.
Is horse racing betting legal in Nigeria?
Horse racing betting in Nigeria is regulated and thus legal.
A betting company can offer horse racing bet options online and in physical betting shops if controlled by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).
How do Horse Racing Odds Work in Nigeria?
You can participate in horse racing bets by registering with one of the many licensed betting companies.
Deposit funds into your account and look for a preferred bet option to stake on. Once your bets successfully register, you can withdraw your winnings from your account after the game or lose.
Types of Horse Racing Betting Nigerians Partake in
In Nigeria, the top betting options users participate in include:
- Win Bet: Staking on the horse that will win the race
- Place Bet: Staking on a horse to finish in the top two or three positions
- Each Way Bet: A combination of win and place bets, where half of the stake is placed on the horse to win and the other half on the horse to place.
- Forecast Bet: Staking on the first two horses to finish the race in the correct order
- Tricast Bet: Staking on the first three horses to finish the race in the correct order
Some betting companies also offer other types of bets, such as handicaps and accumulators.
Regardless of the kind of games you choose, the NLRC has effective regulations protecting customers from gambling addictions.
In Conclusion
Nigerians are passionate about sports.
Even though horse racing is not the number one sport in the country right now, it hopes to surpass a few other popular sports if the stakeholders play their cards right.
In the meantime, everyone expects the country’s gambling councils to continue to reduce gambling risks for horse racing battles to increase awareness of the games.
