Top 5 Sports to Place Bets On
Without a doubt, the gaming industry in the Nigeria region will only grow in the near future, and experts predict that it will almost double by 2030.
In 2021 the highest share of the gambling market is still occupied by offline gambling. 90% of the market belongs to this segment. The online segment is expected to grow at the highest rate over the next eight years with an average annual growth rate of at least 8.59%. The enormous popularity of gambling applications in Africa, as well as the proliferation of smart devices and the ever-growing online gambling, will open up new perspectives for the transformation of the market.
In Nigeria, the number of young people is growing, people under the age of 25 make up almost 60% of the population and show a huge interest in gambling and betting. About 54% of sub-Saharan African youth between the ages of 17 and 35 place bets on sports, according to a 2019 GeoPoll survey. Smartphone usage is also steadily increasing in the region. Nigeria is expected to witness high player interest in online casino and gambling during the forecast period.
The expected increase in the popularity of casinos is due to the fact that the country is increasingly allowing commercial gambling at the legislative level. The lifting of the ban on gambling is due to the fact that the industry is considered an important tool for economic development and solving problems with population employment.
By gaming products, the market is divided into the following segments:
- Betting: betting on sports with fixed odds; betting on horse races and dog races; live bets; exchange rates; rates on Wed.
- Casino games: slot machines; blackjack; baccarat; patinko
- Poker: three-card poker; four-card poker; other
- Lotteries: scratch-off; bingo; keno
By types of service delivery channels, the African market is segmented into: online and offline.
But among all players, not only young people, it is possible to determine the top 5 games for playing.
Football
The most popular sport among Nigerian players. This sport is the most popular because in Nigeria many residents play professionally themselves and organize local championships. Most players know the rules and are fans of this sport, so it is more interesting and easier for them to bet on football. Given the high relevance of football, bookmakers have made a lot of efforts to ensure that the player has a choice between markets and types of bets. Bookmakers offer more than 1000+ markets, popular leagues, virtual football bets.
Football odds are fair compared to other sports and professional bettors prefer express betting on football matches. A better betting experience is provided by live football broadcasts and most bookmakers have developed apps for watching live broadcasts, but these are paid (data packages) and watching live matches can be an expensive pleasure.
Tennis
Second only to football, Nigerian players prefer the big game of tennis. The difference between betting on football and tennis is that the markets for tennis matches are limited to international leagues. This leads to the fact that it is difficult for players to know all the matches due to restrictions on the rights of organizations and international restrictions. A small number of bookmakers offer live tennis matches that are available for betting.
Horse Racing
The popularity of this sport appeared due to the influence of the media and is considered the most difficult of all bets. It has to do with picking a winner and finding the best betting option to win. For successful bets, the player needs to pay attention to the win, the place and the predictions (that is, you choose a horse that will finish first, and another horse will finish second and third respectively). Among the advantages of such bets should be noted the presence of good markets and relatively fair odds.
Rugby
In the ranking of top games, the third place is given to rugby. Because of the intense power, speed and great physical contact, this game is considered mainly for men. Among players, live broadcasts of matches are relevant in rugby. An advantage among other species for exciting and unpredictable actions with interesting gameplay. This game has a large number of markets with high coefficients. But among the minuses, one should highlight the limited possibilities of live broadcasting or not all world tournaments are represented.
MMA/UFC
After rugby, the most exciting and extreme sport is boxing. Regardless of the results of the bets, most players get satisfaction from watching and finally winning the champion. UFC and MMA are more popular than boxing because fighters can use their whole bodies to fight, acrobatic fighters perform breath-taking stunts. Advantages among other types of bets: it is easy to choose a winner due to the status, many options of types of bets.
Other popular betting sports include hockey, basketball, table tennis, eSports and American football.
Instructions for earning and forecasts for sports
Sports betting is the most profitable way to make money in Nigeria, which is why many young people are actively looking for the best bookmakers. But the main thing for new players to remember is that in order to win big, it is necessary to have not only intuition or the gift of predicting sports results, but also skill. Sports betting has little to do with how well you can predict individual events. It’s about probability.
So, there are two main methods of making money on sports betting. The first is the ability to predict event winners. Most players have only losses in this game. In order to succeed and beat the system, the player must carve out a niche among the millions of clues. Also, the player needs to navigate the market, where bookmakers will not be able to interpret information like you, or do not have enough information.
The second way is the choice of methods, which is divided into: match bets, arbitrage bets and value bets. That is, a high betting variance means that a player must make hundreds of bets depending on the odds before expecting the variance to even out.
Among professional handicappers, it is customary to distinguish two types of players – prognosticators and mathematicians. The former spend a lot of time analysing future matches, studying sources, monitoring the health and well-being of athletes, and the latter are looking for a mathematical advantage in betting odds. And these two strategies are effective. But for those players who love football, it is better to choose the prognosticator method. Therefore, in this article, we will consider competent predictions for sports and how to use them to make regular profits.
All fans make predictions about the outcome of future sports competitions. This type of income does not even always require initial capital. For example, there is no need to make initial investments on forecast sites. All that is needed is the ability to guess the results of sports competitions and, if possible, give logical justification for your predictions.
The earning scheme is simple: a successful player makes his predictions and, based on the results of a certain period, receives a bonus from the resource administration. Or simply sells his predictions to those who wish to purchase them. Accordingly, the player who buys successful predictions makes his bets with them in bookmakers and wins. The winning amount is limited only by the player’s financial capabilities and the bookmaker’s limits.
How to increase the chances of winning in sports predictions?
The most important mistake of novice prognosticators is naivety and lack of understanding of the bookmaker’s work mechanisms. A remarkable analytical mind and the talent of a seer do not yet guarantee profits in a bookmaker’s office. Forecasts should be correlated with coefficients, and bets should be made according to financial management.
It is easy to predict Barcelona to win against a less popular team. But you won’t earn much from such “prophecy”. For analysis, look for matches and bets with an unclear result or those that have a chance to play against public opinion and blow the jackpot.
Tip 1. Strictly adhere to the chosen strategy
A forecaster’s strategy is his lifeline. If you follow a clearly developed plan, there will be less chance of making a mistake. There are game strategies and financial strategies, but the most profitable will be the combined option, which takes into account all the nuances.
Murphy’s Law for betting. The strategy starts to fail right after you finish testing it and start betting with real money.
Tip 2. Get acquainted with information about rivals
Do not make a forecast without studying all relevant information at the current moment. Of course, the closer the game starts, the more information there is. But the coefficients before the start of the game “sag” significantly.
Tip 3. Always keep an eye on the ratio
Never forget the odds. Even successful predictions will not bring profit if you make bets at a low price. The dynamics of the coefficients are monitored by special sites. There, the coefficients of different offices are compared in order to choose the most favourable indicators.
Tip 4. Keep up with sports events
If you want to be a professional, always look for fresh information. It’s great if you have first-hand information, for example, you correspond on social networks with people close to the players and coaches.
Tip 5. Do not bet on emotions
A typical mistake of a beginner is the desire to make up for a past defeat. The professional makes each prediction independently of the previous one. You should also not bet on the teams you support. You will definitely either overestimate or underestimate them.
Each professional player has his own approach to forecasting. Let’s list the main analysis criteria using the example of a football match:
- statistics – the last meetings of the teams, results, position in the tournament table;
- squads – ideas about them are formed based on open sources (it is useful to study the official websites of the teams);
- latest news – again, up-to-date information on injuries to key players and other important indicators;
- motivation – how important the upcoming meeting is for the team.
How Does Weather Affect Betting Results
Our environment directly depends on the weather conditions, and while doing our daily business and earning, we do not pay attention to it and do not stop our activities. We don’t have much to worry about unless it’s rain or a downpour, but given the many days of sunshine Africa has every year, bad weather is rare.
In the process of analyzing a sporting event, before making a bet, you have to process a huge amount of information, however, in addition to purely sporting factors, it is necessary to take into account other aspects that influence the game. These include weather conditions, which can significantly affect the results in sports where competitions take place outdoors. Knowing the correlation between the weather and the game of a certain team or athlete, the course of the match, allows you to make better forecasts and receive higher profits from bets in bookmakers.
Unfortunately, in sports betting, many players ignore such an important point as changing weather conditions. This affects not only the final result of the sporting event, but it happens that it is canceled, and as a result, the player’s bet may become invalid. Players in Nigeria often overlook the fact that the events offered in the markets are held in different parts of the world and especially in Europe where the time zone is different. Therefore, you need to check well when and where the event is taking place before placing a bet.
It is very important to help the bettor understand how the weather affects sporting events and how it can give you an advantage when betting. We will tell you how to analyze weather factors and how to factor them into your predictions to increase your chances of winning.
Low or high temperatures affect performance
The human body has its own temperature limits, as well as the ability to adapt to the temperature, if you stay in it for a long time. For example, cold weather affects how football players play with the ball and the quality of running. This creates difficulties for many players from the tropics and hot continents like Africa, but players from cold regions are used to such conditions, so they have an advantage in such situations.
During winter matches, defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) plays only with gloves, which consequently affects the quality of his game. Usually, in the cold season, athletes have a greater load on the heart, muscles begin to work more slowly, metabolism increases. During this period, one should be as careful as possible, because the warm-up time increases, but the muscles cool down faster, and players often get injured due to muscle strains.
But not only cold weather causes discomfort, intense heat is also a common problem and has its negative consequences not only among football, but also affects other sports. Players are at risk of heat stroke, extreme fatigue, and sometimes the elevated temperature affects player performance during the game.
Rainy or dry conditions affect performance
As a sports bettor, you have probably come across situations where the weather suddenly worsens during a match. Playing in the rain makes conditions more difficult for players and increases the chance of mistakes. For example, goalkeepers or defenders may lose their balance when trying to retrieve the ball, which may result in a missed pass or shot on goal. Also, rain affects the trajectory of the ball and makes it harder, so players need to put more effort into accurate passes and shots.
As the weather affects the condition of the football field, players have to adapt their game to wet or dry conditions. A wet field increases the energy consumption of players, so they try to play more carefully and economically, avoiding risky actions such as tackles or shots. A dry pitch, on the other hand, helps the players to move easily and improve their performance, allowing them to use different techniques of the game.
According to statistics, world-class athletes often set new records in good weather conditions. Their runs become faster, the number of goals increases, and even the morale of the players during the match increases. They feel more focused and confident in their actions.
Effect of wind and fog
In December, the Premier League was sometimes played with red or yellow balls. It was because of the snow that made the game difficult. The presence of fog reduces visibility to almost zero and leads to the cancellation of matches and makes your bet void.
Wind is another unfavorable factor for the game, which can bring both benefit and, on the contrary, spoil the course of the game. A fast wind makes the ball difficult to move and can change its flight path. It is most difficult for goalkeepers to play in such conditions, their effectiveness in the game decreases.
If you know what the weather will be like before it changes, you can reduce the risk of losing bets. But even with such information, it is difficult to predict the final outcome of the game.
The quality of football players’ play depends not only on their skill, but also on the conditions in which they play. One such condition is atmospheric pressure. When the game takes place at a high altitude, the pressure decreases, and this worsens the coordination of the players’ movements. Thus, they cannot show their potential. But this applies only to the visiting team. The home team is used to this kind of pressure and has an advantage over their opponents. It plays better than the visiting team, which has not yet adapted to the climate.
Sports events in which weather conditions should be taken into account.
Football is the most popular sports event, which directly depends on the weather conditions in Africa. Most matches are held in the second half of the day. When the weather is good, Nigerian teams play very well and any change in the weather affects the course of events. Weather conditions play a primary role in the statistics and effectiveness of each subsequent match. In order to initially place the “correct” bet, it is worth looking at all sorts of aspects, trends, reading the latest news and forecasts. Every little detail can play a key role in the upcoming football match.
The advantage in the game often remains with the home team. Weather, pressure, humidity – all this does not interfere with them, but it can become a problem for guests who need adaptation. Therefore, the bet on the hosts is considered reasonable.
If you are a tennis fan, you must remember the events of Wimbledon 2021, when the elite player Serena Williams slipped in the middle of the game due to rain. Tennis and soccer are similar in that humid air makes the game faster and more dynamic, and all players move quickly around the playing field.
When it’s really hot outside, it becomes harder for players to keep pace, and the wind can ruin the entire strategy of the game. If a player serves against the wind, his shots will be weaker, while a player downwind has an advantage in serving power. Therefore, some countries have made special stadiums for outdoor games, where the wind does not interfere with the players and does not make the game unfair.
Betting tips and recommendations
- Bet on the home team. Teams traveling outside their continent have a 43% chance of losing a match, due to changes in climate conditions and adaptation to them.
- The weather is like a tool in choosing a bet. This will help you avoid a potential loss.
- Check the climate of the area. The seasons are also an important indicator for the rate. Those who are used to severe cold or heat must undergo adaptation to the change of season.
- Be careful with the weather conditions in international ties, for example in such games as the World Cup, and pay attention to which continent the teams are playing against each other. Countries such as Nigeria, during qualification, due to moving to other countries, are forced to adapt to new climatic conditions.
- Find a reliable weather forecast.
An experienced player always pays attention to the weather, because he knows that it can affect his bet. Winning or losing often depends on how you analyze the weather. We live in an information age where everything is available at the click of a mouse and you can easily find the data you need online.
Weather conditions can affect sports betting, especially in certain sports where the weather has a significant impact on the outcome of the competition. Here are a few ways weather conditions can affect sports betting:
- Soccer: In rainy or snowy weather, the pitch can become slippery, which can lead to player errors, increase the number of accidental turnovers and change the nature of the game. This may affect the outcome of the match and the number of goals scored.
- Tennis: The wind can affect the trajectory of the ball and the speed of the game. Players with strong serves can benefit from the wind, but at the same time it can make it difficult to control the ball and increase the number of errors.
- Golf: Wind can significantly affect the trajectory and distance of ball flights. Players should consider wind strength and direction when choosing a club and playing strategy.
- Racing: Weather conditions such as rain, snow or strong wind may affect the speed and safety of the racers. This can change the results of the race and increase the number of accidents.
- Ski racing: Snow conditions, such as fresh snow or melted snow, can affect the speed and traction of skiers. Players who are better suited to certain snow conditions may have an advantage.
These are just a few examples of how weather conditions can affect sports betting. Weather forecasting and analysis can be important factors in sports betting decisions.