Review of Merrybet Nigeria

Merrybet is one of Nigeria’s original sports betting sites, launching in 2011 near the start of the digital gambling era in the country. As one of the pioneers of licensed bookmaking locally, how does Merrybet fare years later for Nigerian punters?

In this review, we will analyze Merrybet’s strengths and shortcomings across key categories to determine if they remain a recommendable choice in a now crowded Nigeria sports betting market with many strong competitors.

Sports and Markets

Merrybet covers 20+ sports including popular local options like football, tennis, basketball and table tennis. They provide common match winner, handicap and total markets for the major competitions. But variety and depth lag for lower profile games or niche leagues.

The website interface looks dated compared to fresher operators. Navigation is not intuitive and the mobile experience is inconsistent. Overall, sports and market selection is average.

Odds and Liquidity

Merrybet offers fairly competitive odds for marquee events in top leagues but their margins are wider in less mainstream competitions. Serious punters will find better odds pricing at other Nigerian books.

Liquidity is reasonable for small wagers but becomes a limitation for bigger bets, so heavy hitters may get restricted on risks. For recreational bettors, Merrybet’s odds are satisfactory. But sharps will be left wanting.

Bonuses and Promotions

New customers receive a 100% matched deposit bonus up to ₦100,000 which is on par for the Nigeria market. However, Merrybet lacks creativity with promos beyond this welcome offer and the occasional free bet for referring friends.

Competitors run varied promos like bet boosts, cashback offers, accumulator bonuses, and contests around major events. Merrybet’s promos pale in comparison to energize players.

Banking and Payouts

Local punters will appreciate the Naira payment options like bank transfer, USSD, mobile banking, and cash deposits at partner shops for deposits and withdrawals. Most methods are free.

Payouts are completed within 24 hours which is quick but withdrawal limits per transaction are on the conservative side. As one of the early adopters of cashless payments in Nigeria, Merrybet’s banking is smooth.

Trust and Licensing

Merrybet is licensed by the Lagos State Gaming Board and has built a decent reputation over the past decade without major scandals locally. However, they have fallen behind rivals in acquiring additional European licensing lately.

While Merrybet is considered safe, they must up their licensing, security protocols and responsible gambling policies to match other leading Nigeria operators and gain more trust.

Is Merrybet Recommended?

For complete beginners, Merrybet offers a smooth introduction to sports betting with a focus on Nigeria’s favorite sports and convenient Naira payment options. But the limited market depth, dated interface and lack of engaging promotions make bigger sportsbooks preferable.

Merrybet’s early mover advantage has eroded over the years in the face of stiff competition. But their longtime presence still retains brand familiarity. Serious bettors though have many better sportsbook options today.