BC.GAME has ventured into Nigeria after securing a sports betting and casino licence, as the operator continues its expansion into regulated African markets.
The company announced the move on Monday, going live with its sportsbook and casino offering in Nigeria under its new domain bcbet.ng.
BC.GAME secured the licence from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority. This makes Nigeria its second regulated market after the company also received a licence in Kenya last year.
The company operates out of Anjouan, with a local gambling licence.
Kar Kheng Giam, who was appointed BC.GAME’s CEO last month, said the company was prioritising a user-friendly experience for bettors in the high-potential market of Nigeria.
“User experience today is closely tied to clarity, consistency and transparency,” Giam explained. “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.
“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.”
Exciting market in Nigeria
Nigeria’s youthful population and growing mobile penetration has made it one of the hottest emerging gambling markets globally.
The latest statistics from H2 Gambling Capital estimated a total interactive gross win of $1.17 billion in Nigeria last year, projected to reach nearly $2.5 billion by the end of 2030.
BC.GAME talked up the potential in its announcement, stating: “Nigeria is regarded as a high-potential casino and sports betting market, with steady and consistent growth driven by its young, mobile-first population, rising internet penetration and increasing demand for digital entertainment and real-time betting experiences, alongside a regulatory environment that is continuing to mature.”
BC.GAME also licensed in Anjouan
The company said its Nigeria launch formed part of its broader strategy to expand into regulated markets, with BC.GAME also licensed in Anjouan.
BC.GAME hasn’t been without controversy, however, withdrawing its licence in Curaçao in December last year citing an “increasingly hostile” operating environment.
That decision followed a November court ruling that declared BC.GAME bankrupt after failing to pay players funds that they owed.
BC.GAME was also stripped of its white label licence in the UK, sparking concerns over its sponsorship deal of English football club Leicester City.
It has a history of operating as an offshore operator without a local licence in a mumber of markets globally.
Kyle Goldsmith
Kyle has been with Clarion since December 2023, joining from the world of sports journalism, subsequently becoming a LatAm-facing senior reporter with iGB.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/strategy/bcgame-regulated-market-push-nigeria-launch/
