States in Nigeria resist implementing a national gambling framework
In a move aimed at streamlining gambling regulation in Nigeria, the Central Gambling Bill 2025 proposes the creation of a unified national regulator—the Central Gaming Commission. However, the bill has sparked fierce opposition from the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN), who argue that it conflicts with constitutional provisions and recent judicial decisions.
The FSGRN, a coalition representing 24 state gaming regulatory bodies, strongly opposes the bill. They assert that Nigeria's 1999 Constitution and a November 2024 Supreme Court ruling grant states exclusive authority to regulate gambling within their territories. The federation argues the bill is unconstitutional, an overreach of federal power, and essentially a repackaged version of the already nullified National Lottery Act 2005.
The FSGRN warns that the bill threatens state autonomy, established licensing regimes, and state revenue. States like Lagos and Ogun, with vibrant betting markets, also oppose losing regulatory control and fear the bill could stifle state innovation and impose burdensome national compliance standards on smaller operators.
The National Assembly has advanced the bill to its third reading stage, but the FSGRN insists it conflicts with constitutional provisions and recent judicial decisions. The federation highlights that previous similar federal gambling laws were struck down by courts as "ultra vires" (beyond legal authority).
In a related development, Kenya has imposed a 30-day ban on gambling advertising, while the Betting Control and Licensing Board has issued a directive permanently prohibiting celebrities and influencers from featuring in any form of gambling promotion.
The Central Gambling Bill aims to introduce a unified national gambling framework, outlining a new regulatory structure with the power to issue and revoke gambling licenses. It seeks to regulate all gambling activities, including online, land-based, and lottery, and includes provisions to repeal the existing National Lottery Act. The bill proposes the creation of a National Gaming Commission and aims to regulate gambling activities across Nigeria's federal regions and recognized territories.
The constitutional battle between federal and state regulatory authority continues, with the FSGRN asserting the bill's lack of legal basis and prior similar acts having been nullified by courts. The outcome of this debate could significantly shape the future of gambling regulation in Nigeria.
[1] FSGRN Press Release: "FSGRN Opposes Central Gambling Bill 2025" [2] The Guardian: "Nigeria's Central Gambling Bill Faces Constitutional Challenges" [3] Daily Trust: "FSGRN: Central Gambling Bill Threatens State Autonomy" [4] Vanguard: "FSGRN: Central Gambling Bill Violates Supreme Court Ruling" [5] Premium Times: "Lagos, Ogun Oppose Federal Regulation of Gambling"
The FSGRN, citing the Nigerian Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling, claims the Central Gambling Bill 2025 is unconstitutional, asserting it infringes on states' exclusive authority to regulate gambling, threatens state autonomy, and conflicts with previous judicial decisions. State entities like Lagos and Ogun hold similar concerns about losing regulatory control and the potential for burdensome national compliance standards.
Ongoing debates regarding the constitutionality of the Central Gambling Bill 2025 have been widely covered in media outlets, including The Guardian, Daily Trust, Vanguard, and Premium Times, with each publication highlighting the FSGRN's arguments that prior federal gambling laws have been deemed "ultra vires" and the bill's potential repercussions on state revenue, licensing regimes, and state innovation.
