Nigeria’s Central Gaming Bill 2025 has been met with strong resistance since its introduction earlier this year. We examine the FSGRN’s vehement opposition to the bill, its aims, and key components.
Nigeria’s Supreme Court ruled against the country’s previous national gambling legislation by nullifying the National Lottery Act of 2005 in November 2024, thereby invalidating the act’s claim to regulate gaming and lotteries.
It concluded, instead, that state legislative assemblies should regulate lotteries and games of chance, which include slots, dice games and virtual sports, rather than the federal government of Nigeria. The body comprising the state regulators welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision in December 2024.
Nigeria’s Central Gaming Bill 2025, introduced earlier this year to centralise the regulation of casinos and sportsbooks in the country, is experiencing a backlash. This is despite it continuing to be moved forward in the National Assembly, since it passed its Third Reading in July of this year.
However, the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN), along with several State Governments, has voiced opposition to the bill, which seeks to establish a new nationwide gambling legislative framework for all online and remote gaming in the country.
The FSGRN is a constitutional authority comprising 24 state governments to regulate the burgeoning iGaming industry in Nigeria. The central issue dividing the nation is the states handing over their regulatory powers to the federal government, in the event of the bill passing.
The FSGRN has stated that they believe the bill goes against Supreme Court rulings and is in breach of the nation’s constitution, adding:
“The proposed Central Gaming Bill 2025 is nothing more than a repackaged version of the now-nullified National Lottery Act 2005. Both seek to establish federal control over the same subject matter, games of chance through licensing, regulation and enforcement by a federal commission.”
The Central Gaming Bill also seeks to include provisions for conducting gambling in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and generating online and mobile casino revenue both nationwide and across state borders.
Key components of the new bill include controlling all iGaming activities, including retail, lotteries and online gambling, and also calls for a National Gaming Commission, which would retain licensing powers.
Proponents of the bill contend that, as the gaming industry has largely moved online, it requires a centralised regulatory framework. Whatever the outcome, the heated debate is sure to continue.
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