Is Gambling Legal in Nigeria?

Nigeria is one of Africa’s fastest-growing iGaming markets, driven by a young population, rapid mobile adoption, and innovative payment systems. The country has more than 220 million people, yet land-based casinos are limited, which pushes players online. Smartphones are the main entry point, with most users preferring mobile betting and casino games.

Since a Supreme Court ruling in 2024, gambling has been regulated at the state level. Each state now issues its own licences, while the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) is limited to the Federal Capital Territory, the area of the capital city, Abuja. Sports betting leads the market, driven by football, while online casinos, poker, and roulette are steadily growing.

With over half of adults reportedly placing bets, a growing mobile audience, and new frameworks such as the Universal Reciprocity Certificate (URC) that simplify multi-state operations, Nigeria offers operators both scale and opportunity in a competitive West African market.

Online Gambling in Nigeria

Regulatory Authority	State gaming boards (e.g. Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Oyo State Gaming Board). Since a Supreme Court ruling in 2024, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) now regulates gambling only in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). All other states issue their own licences.
Key legislation	State-level gambling regulations
Allowed activities	Online sports betting, lotteries, and online casino games (slots, poker, roulette) – only if licensed at the state level.
Prohibited activities	Among others: operating without a valid state licence gambling in states under Sharia law
Taxation and fees	Taxation in Nigeria differs depending on the state, with additional federal levies applying nationwide: Lagos: 2.5% GGR tax on operators Oyo: 5% of monthly turnover Federal: 5% withholding tax on residents’ winnings; 15% on non-residents
Licence validity/duration	State gambling licences are generally valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Since 2025, operators can also apply for a Universal Reciprocity Licence (URL), which allows multi-state operations across 22 member states.
Benefits of the market	Large, mobile-first player base Nigeria has a young population that uses smartphones as the main way to access iGaming. For most players, mobile is the entry point to betting and casino games. High sports betting engagement Sports betting is the dominant form of gambling in Nigeria. More than half of adults place wagers, with football at the centre of player activity and the main driver of the online market.
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Land-Based Gambling in Nigeria

Key legislation	State-level gambling regulations
Allowed activities	Allowed activities vary by state. They usually include licensed casinos (tables and slots), betting shops, bingo halls, gaming machines, and sometimes promotional competitions.
Prohibited activities	Among others: operating without a state licence underage gambling offering unauthorised or fraudulent games Specific prohibitions may vary by state law.
Taxation	Set by each state authority. Rates and levies differ depending on the jurisdiction and type of business.

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