By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja
Sports betting has quietly become one of the busiest “side hustles” for thousands of young Nigerians, but for many, the dream of quick money is turning into daily losses.
Across viewing centres and betting shops in Abuja, Lagos, Uyo and Port Harcourt, young men crowd around screens every evening, phones in hand, refreshing their tickets as European football matches unfold.
With as little as ₦500 or ₦1,000, bettors chase odds promising hundreds of thousands of naira.
But reality often tells a different story.
At a betting shop in Wuse, Abuja, an attendant who identified himself simply as Musa said most customers lose more than they win.
“People only talk about the big wins,” he said. “But 80 to 90 percent lose their money daily. Some even borrow to play again.”
Several bettors admitted they see betting as an alternative source of income due to unemployment and rising living costs.
A 24-year-old university graduate said he spends at least ₦3,000 every day trying to “hit a big ticket.”
“Sometimes you win small,” he said. “But most times you lose and try again tomorrow.”
Financial experts warn that betting should not be treated as an investment.
“Sports betting is gambling, not employment,” a Lagos-based financial coach explained. “The system is designed for the house to profit, not the player.”
Despite the risks, the industry continues to grow rapidly, driven by mobile apps, aggressive advertising, and the popularity of European football.
For many young Nigerians, the hope of one life-changing win keeps them coming back — even when losses pile up.
As evening matches kick off daily, betting shops remain packed, each ticket carrying the same dream: turning small change into sudden wealth.
But for most, that dream rarely materialises.
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