OPay has quietly become the backbone of sports betting payments in Nigeria. With over 35 million users and partnerships with every major sportsbook, the mobile payment platform has fundamentally changed how Nigerians fund their betting accounts and withdraw their winnings.
The Before and After
Before OPay, depositing into a betting account meant bank transfers (slow, sometimes failed), USSD codes (unreliable on some networks), or visiting a physical agent. Withdrawals were even worse — many bettors waited 24-48 hours for bank transfers to process.
OPay changed this by offering:
- Instant deposits: Funds appear in your betting account within seconds
- Instant withdrawals: Especially on SportyBet, where OPay withdrawals arrive in under 60 seconds
- Zero fees: No deposit or withdrawal fees on most platforms
- Accessibility: Available to anyone with a phone number — no bank account needed
Impact on the Industry
The ease of OPay deposits has contributed to significant growth in the Nigerian sports betting market. Industry estimates suggest the Nigerian online betting market grew 30% in 2025, with instant payment methods like OPay being a key driver.
Sportsbooks have noticed. Every major platform — SportyBet, Bet9ja, Betway, 1xBet, and BetKing — now prioritizes OPay integration.
What Comes Next
Palmpay is growing as a competitor, and both platforms are investing in faster settlement times and deeper sportsbook integrations. Nigerian bettors benefit from this competition with better service and faster transactions.
For a full list of sportsbooks that accept OPay, read our guide on betting sites that accept OPay.