Centralised gambling regulation bill faces opposition in Nigeria
State Governments and the FSGRN have opposed the passing of the Central Gaming Bill.
Key points:
– A new bill to centralise gambling regulation in Nigeria is facing fierce opposition
– The FSGRN has labelled the bill as unconstitutional
– The bill continues to be moved forward by the National Assembly and has now passed its Third Reading
The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) – alongside several State Governments – has vocalised its opposition to the nation’s Central Gambling Bill, which seeks to establish a new, nationwide gambling legislative framework.
Indeed, this bill has now passed its Third Reading in Nigeria’s National Assembly and aims to regulate all forms of gambling across all federal regions and recognised territories in Nigeria. As part of their opposition, the FSGRN has alleged that the bill goes against a recent Supreme Court judgement, issued in November 2024, that specifies that only State Governments may regulate gambling practices relevant to their respective territories in Nigeria.
This new bill proposes the formation of both a new regulator framework and National Gaming Commission, who will be granted the power to both issue and revoke gambling licenses for both online, land-based and lottery activities in the nation.
Further, the bill contains orders to nullify the current National Lottery Act – alongside several additional actions that, as specified by the FSGRN, go against recent legislative rulings by the Supreme Court and is in breach of the provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution. Nevertheless, the bill continues to be advanced by the National Assembly despite these conflicts.
Good to know: The Nigerian gambling market is regulated by the National Lottery Regulator Commission under the National Lottery Act of 2005
Additional regulatory news from the fast-developing African market saw gambling advertising in Kenya banned for 30 days during May this year.
This action was followed by the issuing of a new directive by the nation’s regulator, the Betting Control and Licensing Board, which permanently bans celebrities and influencers from appearing in gambling advertisements of any form.
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