Casino games are a big deal all over the world, but here in Nigeria, the industry hasn’t quite taken off.
There are only a handful of land-based casinos in Nigeria, while stand-alone local online casinos are also very uncommon.
Many betting companies in Nigeria have online casino sections on their sites, but in a lot of cases, these casinos appear more like an afterthought, and aren’t as robust as the sports betting sections on these sites.
They are like the poorer cousins of sports betting.
So why exactly have casinos struggled to get going in Nigeria? Why do we not quite have the casino culture in this country?
Perhaps, the most reasonable explanation for this would be the general belief that casino games are expensive to play.
To the average Nigerian, casinos are out of their league, and only meant for the elite.
While the notion that casinos are for high rollers is not always true, experience has shown that people do spend more money on casinos than on sports betting.
And considering the poverty level and economic situation in the country, Nigerians would rather stay away from that and focus on how they can make their millions with N100 on football betting (however unrealistic that is!).
Another reason why casino games aren’t as popular in Nigeria is that they are relatively more difficult to understand.
Compared to sports betting which is relatively straightforward, casino games are a bit more challenging and mentally tasking.
You need to take some time to study and learn about the game before putting your money into it, else you would just be gambling blindly.
Given all the issues going around in the country, not many have the time or the patience to learn about how to play blackjack or baccarat, especially since there is an easier alternative in sports betting.
Also, casino games are generally games of chance. They are too dependent on luck, rather than skill or knowledge. At least, that’s how many Nigerians see them.
Not that sports betting isn’t dependent on luck, but there is a bit more method to the madness!
Many Nigerian bettors believe that they are football experts, and can convert this expertise into money through sports betting. Even the non-football experts can always rely on statistics and form guides to help them out with their decision making. Such spoon-feeding is not always available with casino games.
The Case for Casino Games
Just like your regular video games, casino games are very entertaining. The good thing is that you don’t have to visit a physical casino to get the casino experience.
Casinos are now available online, either as stand-alone casinos or as part of a betting site. As shown on My Betting Sites Nigeria, the best sports betting sites also have online casinos amongst their gaming options. The great thing about these casinos is that they offer free versions of their casino games.
Hence, players can dip their toes and sharpen up their skills before diving into the deep end.
And you don’t have to be a millionaire to play in an online casino.
Just as you can wager with N100 on a sports betting site, you can also get through a few rounds in an online casino with that amount.
At the end of the day, it is all about being responsible with gambling expenditure and understanding financial limitations.