Is Betting Legal in Nigeria?

The Short Answer

What the Supreme Court Decided in 2024

For almost twenty years, betting and lotteries were licensed nationally under the National Lottery Act 2005, through the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC). Several states, led by Lagos, challenged this in court.

On 22 November 2024 the Supreme Court ruled that the National Assembly has no power to make laws on lotteries and games of chance for the states. That power belongs to the State Houses of Assembly. The only exception is the Federal Capital Territory, where the National Assembly still makes the law.

In practice this means:

• outside Abuja, betting is licensed and taxed by state regulators;
• in Lagos, the regulator is the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA);
• other states, such as Enugu, have their own gaming regulators;
• the NLRC continues to license operators in the FCT.

Some bookmakers, SportyBet among them, still show an NLRC licence number in their footer, while others, such as MSport, show a Lagos licence.

How to Check a Bookmaker's Licence

1. Scroll to the footerA licensed bookmaker names its regulator and licence number at the bottom of every page.
2. Note the company nameLicences belong to a company, for example SV Gaming Limited, which trades as BetKing.
3. Match it with the regulatorCheck the regulator's list of licensed operators, or contact the regulator if you are unsure.
4. Be wary of no licence at allIf a site shows no Nigerian licence, no Nigerian regulator can help you in a dispute.

Rules Every Bettor Should Know

• Age: you must be 18 or older. Bookmakers can ask for ID and close accounts of minors.
• One account: one account per person. Duplicate accounts lose bonuses and winnings.
• Your own bank account: payouts go to an account in your name only.
• Tax: tax rules for betting are changing with federal and state reforms. We do not give tax advice; ask a tax professional if you win large amounts.

Our Top 10 betting sites in Nigeria only includes bookmakers listed as licensed in Nigeria.

Legal Questions