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Alexa’s December 18, 2019 ranking revealed the popularity of betting websites in Nigeria with bet9ja.com, in 3rd position, leading other betting and odds-related sites in the list of top 50 sites.
A quick look at Alexa’s top sites ranking for January 29, 2020, reveals that some sites dropped out of the top 50. Nevertheless, bet9ja.com and 1xbet.ng moved up the rankings 1 and 7 places, respectively, to occupy the 2nd and 33rd positions.
It goes without saying that online sports betting is popular in Nigeria, particularly among the youth.
In a bid to find out what goes on in a bettor’s mind, Techpoint spoke to Leonard (not real name) who started betting actively at a time he couldn’t readily recall but guessed to be around 2013/2014.
“The perception I had was that those who did it were people who didn’t have much money, young guys who were trying to make quick money to make ends meet, and handle emergencies,” Leonard recalls.
Though he had prior knowledge of betting as an activity, his interest wasn’t piqued. However, his perception soon proved to be spot on, as he found himself strapped for cash and, having friends who were actively betting, it was only a matter of time before he asked the ‘initiating’ questions.
“I didn’t have a job and was broke. Of course, as a young man, I needed to have some money to meet my needs. So I asked my friends to teach me. It took me time to learn the ropes — stakes, odds, forecasting, etc.”
Having once won ₦30,000 ($82.64) — his highest winnings to date — by placing a bet with ₦1,000 ($2.75), and hearing of larger bets, Leonard’s perception changed.
“There are different categories of players. Some play to pay off debts, some to hang out with friends, and some others to make millions — they see it as a business.”
Leonard recalls that after he entered the betting space, news sometimes made the rounds of well-to-do individuals who placed bets with as much as ₦500,000 ($1,377.27), some even going as high as ₦1 million ($2754.54).
Hitting the pause button
An acclaimed lover of statistics, Leonard says the uncertainty that comes with betting causes him to take periodic breaks when he sees himself going on an extended losing streak, as he understands that betting is probability-based.
Shirley (not real name) is a retired bettor. Her inability to control the outcomes of the events she placed bets on prompted her withdrawal from the betting scene.
Some might put Shirley’s ‘retirement’ down to determination while others might say she was lucky to leave before addiction set in.
