General
Eight Things You Should Know About Nigeria’s Gambling Laws
Gambling is a popular activity among millions of Nigerians. Despite this, the country’s laws seem far outpaced by the industry’s growth, particularly since the dawn of online gambling hit its shores.
While online gambling is available, there are no official laws that regulate it. Even laws relating to physical gambling are somewhat outdated and have seen little revision in years to accommodate the ever-growing activity.
The laws have a clear direction regarding what is and isn’t legal. However, these laws hold certain loopholes that users and operators may seek to exploit and circumvent and are becoming increasingly outdated. Below, we’ve listed eight things you should know about gambling laws in the country.
1. Gambling Has Not Always Been Legal
Like many countries, Nigeria used to prohibit gambling. In fact, the first law relating to gambling passed in the country, the Unlawful Games Act of 1541, outlawed it in its entirety.
It remained so until 1845, when the country adopted England’s Gaming Act, which allowed for specific types of gambling. However, because Nigeria had a strong Catholic influence, gambling was still spoken harshly of, and many in the region didn’t wish to partake in its activities.
2. One Law Oversees All Forms of Gambling
In 2005, the Nigerian government approved the National Lottery Act. Extending beyond just lotteries, this act is the regulatory tool covering all forms of gambling in the region (except for online gambling, which was not as popular then).
The law provides for in-person casino games and betting on events such as horse racing. It also established a state lottery, the National Lottery Nigeria, which remains one of the most popular ways to gamble and has grown into one of the largest in Africa.
3. No Law Mentions Online Forms of Gambling
As mentioned, no provision is made for online gambling in the country in the National Lottery Act or any subsequent law. This means that many operators outside the country’s borders are happy to provide their services to residents as it is not expressly condemned.
External and internal operators are also allowed to accept gamblers due to the lack of legislation barring them from doing so. As such, gamblers are free to play all Nolimit City games on casinos.com and various other sites without legal repercussions.
4. Internal Operators Must Be Licensed
The Nigerian government has stated that all operators providing services from within the country must acquire a gambling license to offer their services to players. Many see this as strange, considering there is yet to be a law ratified to enforce this, and it relies on operators’ goodwill.
All companies that wish to offer online gambling services must register for a license with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC). This governing body oversees the country’s lotto and all other gambling aspects, including the largest physical casinos.
5. Some States Draft Their Own Laws
Although the NLRC regulates gambling on a federal level, some states have taken it upon themselves to pass legislation relating to gambling within their borders. Lagos, for instance, passed the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law in 2021, which made provision for how online casinos and bookmakers can be licensed to operate in the region.
These laws help regulate things at the state level and even make provisions for forming state governing bodies, such as the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), responsible for issuing licenses to online operators.
6. Outdated Laws Have Created a Gambling Black Market
Despite casinos being legal and a law being in place to make provisions for them, the outdated rules and processes that require a license to operate have spawned a burgeoning black market in the country. As such, many illegal casinos or gambling houses exist throughout the country.
Aside from physical casinos operating without a license, online operators are as guilty. As recently as 2024, more than 26 illegal operators were identified in Lagos state alone. These are operating and welcoming customers without going through the necessary channels to be able to do so legally.
7. Gambling Tax Laws Do Exist
Although the gambling laws are outdated and not fit for the current gambling climate found worldwide, lawmakers did find it necessary to ensure the government benefits from gambling through the Casino Taxation Act.
While the act is also old and outdated, passed in 1965, it provides that all operators must pay the Federal Board of Inland Revenue (FBIR) a tax on net gaming revenue. In addition, the act allows the FBIR to review a gambling operator’s financial statements at any time. The only condition is that a warrant is required.
8. Outdated Gambling Laws Are Resulting in Massive Losses for the Government
Estimates show that almost 36% of Nigerian adults have gambled. Of these, 53% gamble daily using online operators or physical amenities. These gamblers contribute to the country’s extensive GGR (gross gaming revenue), which is predicted to hit £576.8m by 2025.
However, due to the lack of formal regulation and infighting between federal control and state legislation surrounding gambling, much of this revenue fails to generate income for local government. Consequently, much of this revenue goes to external operators who aren’t licensed and can avoid paying the government.
Conclusion
Navigating Nigeria’s old and sometimes conflicting gambling laws is not simple. As states begin passing their own legislation due to the federal government’s failure to do so, things are likely to get even more confusing.
For players, this means more uncertainty and a lack of understanding about where they can gamble legally. However, with external operators still welcoming players, the real loser here is the government, which is missing out on huge sums of revenue. Hopefully, this will spur it to take action and draft comprehensive legal frameworks that will help the industry grow.
General
Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today
By Blaise Udunze
Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.
The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.
Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.
Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.
The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.
Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.
Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.
Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.
General
Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.
This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.
The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.
This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.
A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.
Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.
Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
General
Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
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