BC.GAME has officially entered the Nigerian market after obtaining a sports betting and casino license, marking another step in its expansion within regulated African markets. The company announced its launch on Monday, introducing its sportsbook and casino under the new domain bcbet.ng.
The license was granted by the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, making Nigeria BC.GAME's second regulated market following its acquisition of a license in Kenya last year. The company operates out of Anjouan, holding a local gambling license there.
Kar Kheng Giam, who took over as CEO of BC.GAME last month, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing a user-friendly experience for bettors in Nigeria. “User experience today is closely tied to clarity, consistency and transparency,” Giam stated. “As we expand into new regulated markets such as Nigeria, we are focused on making the platform easier to understand while continuing to improve how we communicate with our users.”
Giam highlighted Nigeria's passionate sports fanbase and burgeoning interest in digital gaming. “Nigeria is home to one of the most passionate sports fanbases in the world, with a strong culture around football and a rapidly growing interest in digital gaming. This launch allows us to bring those elements together in a market with significant long-term potential,” he said.
Nigeria's youthful demographic and increasing mobile connectivity have made it a prime emerging market for gambling. According to recent statistics from H2 Gambling Capital, Nigeria recorded a total interactive gross win of $1.17 billion last year, with projections to reach nearly $2.5 billion by 2030.
In its announcement, BC.GAME highlighted the potential of the Nigerian market, noting that it is regarded as a high-growth area for casino and sports betting. The company pointed to steady growth driven by a young, mobile-first population and rising internet access, as well as increasing demand for digital entertainment and real-time betting experiences alongside a maturing regulatory environment.
The Nigeria launch is part of BC.GAME's strategy to expand into regulated markets, with licensing also held in Anjouan. However, the company has faced challenges, including the withdrawal of its license in Curaçao in December, which it attributed to an “increasingly hostile” operating environment. This move followed a court ruling in November that declared BC.GAME bankrupt after it failed to pay back funds owed to players.
Additionally, the company lost its white label license in the UK, raising concerns about its sponsorship deal with English football club Leicester City. Historically, BC.GAME has operated as an offshore entity without local licenses in several markets worldwide.
