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Online gambling laws in Nigeria are a complex matter, which is why we’re going to start our voyage with a brief explanation concerning whether or not online poker is legal in the country.
Once we get the legalities out of the way, we’ll proceed to poker-related stuff. Read on!
Legal Nigerian Online Poker Sites
Finding a trustworthy poker site can be a grueling task, with so many scam operators lurking around. That’s why you should leave this task to the pros — my team of poker experts will provide you with the most accurate and reliable information you should know before you commence your poker journey in Nigeria.
We’ve put together a list of poker sites we believe will satisfy your poker needs. All of these operators have been tested across various areas, from bonuses and software to banking and customer support.
If you find your ideal match, don’t hesitate to click on it — registration is 100% free.
| Rank | Rooms | Expert Score | Signup Bonus | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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1
5/5 Read Review
|
 |
103 user ratings |
100% up to $1000 (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! |
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2
4.5/5 Read Review
|
 |
103 user ratings |
100% up to $1000 (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! |
|
3
4/5 Read Review
|
 |
114 user ratings |
200% up to $1000 (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! |
|
4
4.4/5 Read Review
|
 |
87 user ratings |
200% up to $1000 (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! |
|
5
5/5 Read Review
|
 |
108 user ratings |
100% up to $1000 (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! |
|
6
4.4/5 Read Review
|
 |
75 user ratings |
100% up to $500 Match (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! |
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Is Online Poker Legal in Nigeria?
Yes, it is. Playing online poker is perfectly legal in Nigeria, and Nigerian players are accepted by numerous world-renowned poker sites.
The Criminal Code Act of 1990 doesn’t mention anything about gambling online, which means that residents of Nigeria can register and play for real money in first-class poker sites without having to worry about any legal repercussions.
There are a few brick-and-mortar poker rooms in Nigeria, but there are many more online and a person does not have to travel to a land-based casino in order to find some poker action.
While there are currently not any poker sites specifically tailored to Nigerian players, there was a licensed one a few years back, but because of financial troubles, it closed shortly after opening. Still many of the poker websites accept players from Nigeria so finding a poker room that is suitable will not be a challenge.
What is nice about these poker rooms is that most are licensed and as such provide a fair and safe place to play online. A few of the notable licensing jurisdictions include Alderney, Gibraltar and Antigua.
Those who are interested in playing poker will find most common styles of poker available including Texas Hold’ em, 7 card stud, Omaha and a few unique variations such as speed poker. Whatever your preferred game, finding a table will not prove difficult. Of course, a poker room wouldn’t be worth its weight in gold if it didn’t offer a large variety of tournaments as well. Most will feature a variety of freerolls, sit’n’go games and guaranteed prize pool tourneys.
There are so many poker sites online today that sometimes it can be hard finding the right one. The right one is the one that is the best for you in terms of the games and stakes you want to play.
The first thing to do is to check if the online casino takes players from Nigeria. Once confirmed, you will then be able to verify if they accept deposits using the Naira, which the majority will not so be prepared to see your deposits converted into another currency.
If you are looking for the most popular online poker sites and want to get the most competition possible than you need to play with those sites that have the highest traffic. One of the advantages of playing poker online is that you have no idea who you will be playing against. Some of the biggest online poker sites take Nigerian players will have players who are just beginning to play, and will also have those more skilled at the game. This is one of the great things about playing online, as you can always find the game you want to play at the skill level you want to play.
To sum up, as long as you’re playing in an offshore-based online poker room, you’re in the clear. The Nigerian authorities have no jurisdiction over these operators. Therefore, they cannot legally prosecute NG residents for playing there.
How Chose Our List Of Best Nigerian Poker Sites
It took a lot of effort and time, I can tell you that. But it was all worth it. We conducted a thorough background check of every operator’s key aspects.
Our extensive experience in the industry helped a lot, as we were able to identify the best sites and set them apart from the not-so-good ones.
Why You Can Count on Legal Gambling
Why can you count on us? Because we have the know-how to recognize a genuinely great poker site.
We have been doing this job for over ten years now, and it’s safe to say that we know the industry inside out.
This knowledge means that we can spot a fraudulent gambling site from a mile away and protect you from those looking to rip you off.
How Do We Make Sure That Poker Sites on Our List are Legal and Safe?
Every well-regulated poker site should have a valid license from a reputable gambling regulatory body, such as:
These organizations protect players’ rights and ensure that all games offered by a gambling site are fair and genuinely random.
We also make sure that each of our recommended sites employs top-notch security measures. Some industry-standard security mechanisms include:
- SSL encryption
- A Data Protection Officer
- Advanced firewalls
If a poker site doesn’t comply with these safety and licensing protocols, it certainly won’t get a recommendation from us.
What Do We Look for in Nigerian Online Poker Platforms?
Apart from security, we pay attention to the diversity of each poker site. Every poker platform should be abundant in games for players of all skill levels. Furthermore, we consider the site’s:
- Intuitiveness
- Stability
- Quality of software
Ease of use and functionality of the site are other key factors in our evaluation process.
Last but not least, we test the efficiency of customer support and the availability of Nigerian-friendly payment methods.
We want you to have helpful support at your disposal 24/7 and to be able to enjoy fast, secure, and easy payments.
Online Poker in Nigeria
There are over 200 million people living in Nigeria, many of whom love to play poker. Naija features two land-based casinos, but unfortunately, both venues only offer traditional casino games, like roulette, slots, and blackjack. But with such a large gambling population, it’s only a matter of time before the first poker room in Nigeria is launched.
The Nigerian 1990 Criminal Code Act does not apply to online poker, and therefore those residing in Nigeria can legally play poker online without any concerns of prosecution.
The reason it is it legal is that poker is not a game of chance, but rather a game of skill and Nigerians have no issues when it comes to playing poker online.
The good news for Nigerian poker enthusiasts is that they can play on well-established poker sites. Players from Nigeria can legally register on our recommended sites and get in on the poker action, whenever they please.
Popular Poker Games in Nigeria
There is a whole host of poker games that Nigerians can enjoy, and arguably the most popular among them is Texas Hold’Em.
Naturally, not everyone is a die-hard fan of Hold’em, and many players want to explore other options as well — and they can do it on our sponsored sites!
Other popular poker variations in Nigeria include:
- Pot-Limit Omaha
- Seven-Card Poker
- Five-Card Draw
- Razz Poker
- Speed Poker
Each of these poker formats comes with a little twist on the original and has its own set of rules. We made sure to include poker sites that feature a large collection of poker games and varieties.
Mobile Poker in Nigeria
Mobile poker has become trendy in recent years, with millions of avid poker fans enjoying their favorite game on the go.
All poker platforms are optimized for mobile access and are compatible with modern operating systems, including iOS and Android.
Some poker operators have also launched dedicated mobile apps, giving players the possibility to play poker on their mobile devices anytime, anywhere.
Mobile poker apps are easy to use and convenient, and they are easily downloadable via the operator’s homepage.
Future of Poker in Nigeria
There haven’t been any attempts to legalize online poker in Nigeria. However, the country’s politicians don’t seem particularly interested in banning the activity either. This means that Nigerians can continue playing in world-class poker sites without worrying about legal consequences.
It remains to be seen whether Nigeria will open any land-based cardrooms. It will also be interesting to see if the country opens a serious discussion regarding a regulated internet poker market.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling can turn into a serious addiction and it should be approached in a proactive manner.
If you notice that your gambling habit is getting out of hand, feel free to contact these organizations for help:
- Gambling Therapy — International help for problem gamblers and their families.
- HelpGuide — In-depth information on gambling addiction and how to get help online.
Final Thoughts
The fact that Nigeria has strict gambling laws doesn’t prevent poker fans living here from registering and playing real-money poker in offshore poker sites. Since real money is at stake, you have to be extra cautious when choosing the right poker platform. There are many scammers and rogue sites that are only interested in cheating people out of their money.
Our recommended poker sites list can point you in the right direction, and help you find a safe and secure poker room.
If you have any questions, please know that I’m at your disposal 24/7. Just leave a message in the comment section below, and I’ll make sure to answer it as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
For those new to online poker, or those considering making a move to playing online from traditional poker rooms will have questions that they want answers too. While we cannot answer all questions in this article, we can address those most common.
What table limits are offered with online poker rooms?
Is there a variety of poker games that can be played online?
Must I be of legal age to play poker online?
Are the games fair?
How do I deposit?
Ryan Knuppel Author
Ryan (aka Knup) has been writing sports betting content for over a decade now. He covers anything and everything related to United Stats sports including football, basketball, baseball, golf and more. He has finished first place in several gambling related contests over the years which gives him instant credibility in the betting world. Ryan is a die-hard St. Louis...
