Affiliate disclosure: Gamblerfy may earn a commission if you open an account through some of the links on this page. It never changes our score, our ranking, or which brands appear — see how we rate.
Broad global sportsbook & casino, a 1xBet sister brand
Visit Melbet →Melbet welcome bonus in Nigeria
Context for Nigeria: Nigeria changed who licenses betting, and the old answer is still the one most sites give you. On 22 November 2024 the Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 in its entirety, holding that the National Assembly had no constitutional power to legislate on lotteries and games of chance - these are residual matters belonging to the STATES. The practical consequence is that the National Lottery Regulatory Commission is no longer the nationwide authority: its remit is now limited to the Federal Capital Territory, and an NLRC licence issued before the ruling is not a valid basis for multi-state operation. So if an operator's footer, or an affiliate page, offers 'NLRC licensed' as proof it is legal where you live, that assurance is out of date. What counts now is a licence from YOUR state's gaming regulator, or a Universal Reciprocity Certificate from the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) - and the URC only covers FSGRN member states, of which there are around 22, so a significant number of states sit outside it entirely. Betting itself remains legal in Nigeria; it is the paperwork that moved. Some legal uncertainty is still unresolved, including what regularisation means for operators licensed under the old federal regime, so check your own state's regulator before you treat any licence claim as settled.
Here is the current Melbet welcome offer for players in Nigeria. Bonus terms change and are set by Melbet for each market — always confirm the live offer on its own site. See every licensed betting site in Nigeria →
Nigeria changed who licenses betting in November 2024
On 22 November 2024 the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in Attorney General of Lagos State & Ors v Attorney General of the Federation & Ors (Suit No. SC/1/2008), unanimously nullified the National Lottery Act 2005. A seven-member panel held that the National Assembly had no power to legislate on lotteries and games of chance, so the Act - and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission it created - now applies only within the Federal Capital Territory. Regulating betting elsewhere in Nigeria is exclusively a matter for state governments.
What that means when you read any Nigerian review, including ours: an NLRC licence number no longer establishes, on its own, that an operator is authorised in your state. Many of our Nigerian pages still describe licensing in NLRC terms because that was the framework when they were written, and we are working through them. Check your own state regulator's list - for example the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority - before you deposit.
Pros
- Very broad sportsbook and deep markets
- Wide payments including crypto
- Android and iOS apps with live streaming
- 24/7 support
Cons
- Offshore Curacao licence (1xBet sister) — weaker protection
- Not legal across most of Europe; restricted in many regulated markets
- Complex, region-specific bonus terms
- Shares the mixed dispute record of the 1xBet family
Our verdict
Melbet is another 1xBet-family sister brand: a very broad sportsbook and casino with deep markets, wide payments and crypto. It runs on an offshore Curacao licence, is not legal across most of Europe and is restricted in many regulated markets, with weaker recourse than a UKGC/MGA book. Capable product, real trust caveats — only use it where it is licensed to accept you.
How we rated it
Sportsbook & odds (25%)8.8
Very broad sportsbook with deep markets, extensive live betting and streaming.
Payments & payouts (20%)8.5
Wide range including many cryptocurrencies and local methods.
Mobile & UX (10%)8.2
Android and iOS apps with full features.
Bonuses & value (15%)7.5
Large headline offers with complex, region-specific terms.
Customer support (10%)7.3
24/7 support with mixed dispute reviews.
Trust & licensing (20%)5.5
Offshore Curacao licence (Pelican Entertainment Ltd. / Tutkia Ltd.); a 1xBet sister brand. Not legal across most of Europe and restricted in many regulated markets — weaker recourse than a UKGC/MGA book.
Quick facts
| Founded | 2012 |
| License | Offshore — Curacao (Pelican Entertainment / Tutkia). Verify for your country. |
| Sports | Wide coverage, deep markets |
| Live betting | Yes — in-play, streaming, cash-out |
| Payments | Cards, e-wallets, many cryptocurrencies, local methods |
| Apps | Android & iOS |
| Restricted | Most of Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Sweden...) and others |
How we verified this
Bonus caps/codes vary by country; qualitative. Confirm on Melbet's own site.
Where Melbet is licensed
Melbet appears on the official register in 69 countries. Highlighted countries have a full local review — pick yours for its welcome bonus and licence details.
Central America & Caribbean (8)
Africa (34)
Asia (17)
Oceania (1)
About Melbet
Melbet launched in 2012 and is part of the 1xBet family of sister brands, running on the same platform and a Curacao licence. It offers a broad sportsbook, casino and crypto banking to global punters where it is licensed — not to players across most of regulated Europe.
Melbet FAQ
Is Melbet part of 1xBet?
Melbet is part of the 1xBet family of sister brands, running on the same platform and a Curacao licence. The product and bonuses are similar, and it carries the same offshore trust caveats and country restrictions.
Is Melbet safe?
Melbet is a large operator but runs on an offshore Curacao licence with weaker player protection than a UKGC or MGA book, and it is restricted across most of Europe. Only use it where it is licensed to accept you and never deposit more than you can afford to lose.
What is the Melbet welcome bonus?
Melbet advertises a 100% first-deposit sports bonus and a casino welcome package with free spins, but the cap, code and wagering vary by country and change. Read the current on-site terms before claiming.