Nigeria's relationship with gambling stretches back centuries. From pre-colonial dice games to a β¦975 million daily betting market, the story is one of prohibition, legalisation, explosive growth, and a regulatory tug-of-war that continues today.
Here's the thing. Most articles on this topic start at 2013 when Bet9ja launched. But to understand why Nigeria's betting landscape looks the way it does in 2026, you need to go much further back.
Pre-Colonial Gambling Traditions
Gambling in what is now Nigeria predates British colonisation. Traditional games of chance, including Ayo (Ayoayo), cowrie shell games, and communal wagers on wrestling and horse races, were embedded in social and ceremonial life across Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa communities.
These weren't viewed as vices. In many contexts, they were rituals of social bonding, status negotiation, and entertainment. The distinction between "gambling" and "gaming" was largely a colonial import.
The 1965 Casino Taxation Act: Nigeria's First Post-Independence Gambling Law
After independence, Nigeria's first significant gambling legislation was the Casino Taxation Act of 1965. It didn't legalise gambling broadly. It taxed existing casino operations, establishing a fiscal relationship between the state and gambling revenue.
But that's not all. In 1997, the federal government granted gaming prohibition concessions for lotteries, casinos, and sports betting, effectively creating carve-outs within the existing prohibition framework. This piecemeal approach set the stage for the comprehensive regulation that followed.
The Criminal Code Act: Legalisation Through Regulation
The legal foundation for modern gambling in Nigeria lies in the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 22, Section 236, which governs gaming and betting across southern Nigeria.
Rather than banning gambling outright, the Criminal Code regulated it, permitting games of chance under specific conditions while criminalising unlicensed gambling houses. Northern Nigeria operated under the separate Penal Code, which took a stricter approach.
This north-south regulatory divide persists to this day. It explains why states like Bauchi, Katsina, and Jigawa prohibit gambling entirely while Lagos and Edo operate structured licensing frameworks.
The 1977 to 1983 Military Ban: When Prohibition Failed
Between 1977 and 1983, Nigeria's military government imposed a nationwide ban on all gambling. The results were instructive.
Research from the Journal of African History documents how everyday gambling persisted through informal channels: street-corner pools, private card games, and underground betting networks that simply moved out of sight.
π Historical lesson: The 1977 to 83 ban demonstrated that prohibition drives gambling underground rather than eliminating it. This experience directly influenced Nigeria's eventual shift toward regulation over prohibition.
The National Lottery Act 2005: Creating the NLRC
The National Lottery Act 2005 established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) as the federal regulator for lottery and gaming in Nigeria. It was the first comprehensive attempt to create a national framework for gambling regulation.
The NLRC was empowered to issue licences across five categories: Sports Betting, Lottery, Interactive/Mobile Gaming, Pools Betting, and Gaming Machines.
But that's not all. The Act also sparked a jurisdictional dispute with state governments that would simmer for nearly two decades before reaching the Supreme Court. States argued that gaming fell within their legislative competence, a claim the federal government resisted.
The Rise of Online Betting (2013 to 2020)
Bet9ja launched in 2013, and the Nigerian betting landscape changed permanently. Within years, it captured 35 to 40% market share and achieved 64% brand awareness, the highest of any betting platform in the country.
The mobile revolution accelerated everything. Cheap smartphones, affordable data, and USSD-based deposits made betting accessible to millions who had never entered a betting shop. By 2020, 92.8% of all wagers were placed via online or mobile platforms.
Competitors followed: SportyBet, BetKing, 1xBet, and dozens of smaller operators. Nigeria became Africa's largest betting market, with over 60 million active bettors and research showing 35% of Nigerian workers aged 25 to 40 participate in sports betting.
By 2019, Nigerians were spending β¦730 billion annually on sports betting, with 14 million bet stakes placed over the internet daily. A GovBusinessJournal analysis found that 66% of Nigerians had bet on a sporting event at least once.
π Transaction data: NIBSS records show web payments for betting leapt from 14 million transactions worth β¦132 billion in 2016 to 29 million transactions worth β¦185 billion in 2017, a 40% increase in just one year.
π Revenue potential: The National Sports Industry Policy (2020) estimated the broader sports economy could generate $4.7 billion annually and create 10 million jobs, with betting as a major contributor.
The NOIPolls Data (2017): Nigeria's First National Gambling Survey
In 2017, NOIPolls conducted the first rigorous national survey of gambling behaviour in Nigeria. The findings were striking:
77% of Nigerians said betting is prevalent in their community, rising to 92% in the South-West and 91% in the South-South
36% of adults had gambled, and 53% of those gambled daily
Top reasons: Quick money (30%), unemployment (21%), greed (15%)
8% of bettors had never won a single bet; 60% won only "a few times a month"
The survey established a baseline that would prove crucial for regulators. For the first time, policymakers had data on the scale, demographics, and motivations of Nigerian bettors.
β¦975 Million Daily: The NLTF Data (2024)
By 2024, the numbers had grown staggering. The National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) reported that 65 million Nigerians actively bet, spending an average of $15 per day, totalling β¦975 million in daily betting turnover.
These figures prompted the House of Representatives to move to stop sports betting in February 2024, citing the social impact on young Nigerians. The motion failed, but it reflected growing legislative concern.
The Cross River State Lottery Director-General put it bluntly in October 2024: the industry is worth β¦500 to 600 billion, Lagos alone generates $243 million in gambling revenue annually, and 90% of the potential market remains untapped.
π Industry scale: A 2025 public health review estimated that Nigeria's betting industry generates $400 to 500 billion annually (β¦-denominated), making it one of Africa's largest entertainment sectors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offered the starkest contrast: 60 million Nigerians gamble daily, yet fewer than 3 million actively invest in capital markets. Nigeria's betting market now exceeds β¦1 trillion annually, and with 168 million estimated bettors across Africa, Nigeria ranks #1.
π Clinical context: Despite 65 million active bettors, Nigeria has no specialist treatment centres for problem gambling. Problem gambling rates are estimated at 1 to 8% of the general population, with 10 to 15% at risk.
The 2024 Supreme Court Ruling: States Take Control
In November 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria (suit no. SC/1/2008) delivered a landmark ruling: the National Lottery Act 2005 is unenforceable in all states except the FCT.
The decision settled a nearly 20-year jurisdictional dispute. States hold primary legislative authority over gaming. The NLRC's remit was effectively limited to the Federal Capital Territory.
For bettors, the practical consequence is straightforward: the state you bet from determines which regulations apply to you. For a complete breakdown, see our legal status guide.
The 2025 Gambling Bill Controversy
Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, the federal government attempted to reassert control. The proposed Nigeria Gambling Bill sought to centralise gaming regulation at the national level.
The response was fierce. The Coalition of Gambling Groups (CGG) condemned the bill as "legislative rascality and lawlessness", arguing it directly contradicted the Supreme Court's judgment.
The situation reached its climax when President Tinubu publicly rejected the bill. In a December 2025 interview, he stated: "I am a constitutional democrat⦠I'm not going to sign such a bill into law", directly citing the Supreme Court's ruling on state authority.
The debate extended beyond parliament. Former presidential aide Reno Omokri publicly called on Tinubu to ban betting apps entirely, arguing they were destroying young Nigerians. Meanwhile, Rep. Kelechi Nwogu countered reports of a sports betting ban, clarifying that the legislative intent was regulation, not prohibition.
The Calls to Ban: Voices Against Betting
Beyond regulation and legislation, a growing cultural movement has emerged calling for outright bans on sports betting. These voices represent a genuine strand of Nigerian public opinion.
Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas went on record describing sports betting as "dangerous" and a threat to national security, calling for urgent legislative action to curb its spread among young Nigerians.
In September 2025, musician Naira Marley publicly warned Nigerian youths against sports betting, telling his millions of followers that betting was "destroying lives."
Entertainment executive Audu Maikori went further, warning that the sports betting industry faces an "economic knockout" if regulation doesn't catch up with growth. He argued the industry was extracting wealth from the youngest and most vulnerable Nigerians.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) also condemned the Senate's move to regulate lottery and gambling nationally, arguing it violated the Supreme Court's ruling on state authority.
π The counter-narrative: Not everyone agrees. A 2026 Vanguard profile of Western Lotto/Baba Ijebu framed the gaming industry as having "transformed Nigeria positively" through employment, community investment, and tax revenue. The debate remains deeply polarised.
β οΈ Historical problem: Prohibition advocates face a track record issue. Nigeria tried banning gambling from 1977 to 1983. The result? Underground networks and zero tax revenue. The lesson of that era is clear: regulation works better than prohibition.
In 2019, the National Adolescent Health Policy was revised to include gambling as a risk factor for young people, one of the few policy acknowledgements that gambling's social impact requires a public health response, not just regulatory oversight.
The FSGRN & Universal Reciprocity Certificate (2025)
In May 2025, state gaming regulators responded to the new landscape by forming the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) and adopting a Subnational Reciprocity Licensing Framework.
The framework introduced the Universal Reciprocity Certificate (URC), allowing operators to obtain a single licence valid across all member states for online sports betting, casino, lottery, and promotional competitions.
The FCT also commenced independent gaming regulation in May 2025, ending 20 years of exclusive NLRC oversight. Not all states have joined: Bauchi, Katsina, and Jigawa maintain outright prohibition.
π Growth trajectory: Nigeria's iGaming sector is forecast to grow at 16% annually, driven by mobile penetration, youth demographics, and increasing regulatory clarity.
January 2026: The Rules Changed
Here's the thing. Everything discussed above: the Supreme Court ruling, the FSGRN framework, the URC: became operational reality in January 2026. The theoretical became practical.
As TheSun and TheCable reported, gambling rules changed in January 2026. The FSGRN licensing framework took effect, state enforcement began in earnest, and operators faced a new compliance reality.
The Enugu State Gaming Commission provided the first major test case, shutting down all Bet9ja retail outlets over licence and GGR disputes in February 2026. For a detailed analysis, see our legal status guide.
Lagos introduced a 5% withholding tax on betting winnings, the first state-level tax that directly affects bettors' payouts. Other states are expected to follow.
π The new reality: State regulators are now the primary authority. Platforms need both state and federal licences. The URC simplifies multi-state compliance, but the enforcement landscape is still being defined.
What This History Means for You in 2026
The historical arc from pre-colonial gambling to the FSGRN framework teaches a consistent lesson: prohibition doesn't work; regulation does.
Bet with licensed platforms that hold both state and NLRC licences, like Bet9ja
Know your state's rules: regulation varies from full prohibition to structured licensing
Use responsible gambling tools: deposit limits, self-exclusion, and structured bankroll management
Stay informed: the regulatory landscape is still evolving, especially around state-level taxation
Sources & References
- [1] Akanle, O. & Kolade, F.T. (2015). "Football Betting in Nigeria." Miscellanea Anthropologica et Sociologica, 16(4): 46-63. Pre-colonial and contemporary gambling context.
- [2] Aguocha, C.M. & George, S. (2021). "An Overview of Gambling in Nigeria." BJPsych International / PMC. Criminal Code Act framework. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8274406/)
- [3] Ajibade, O. (2023). "When There Is a Ban, There Is a Way: Everyday Gambling and the Nigerian Political Economy, 1977 to 83." Journal of African History, Cambridge University Press. (cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-african-history/article/)
- [4] Aluko & Oyebode (June 2025). "State Regulation in the Gaming Sector: Lotteries and Gaming Law and Regulatory Tracker: Nigeria 2025." Supreme Court ruling, FSGRN, URC, FCT commencement. (aluko-oyebode.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/State-Regulation-in-the-Gaming-Sector-June-2025.pdf)
- [5] NOIPolls (2017). "New Poll Reveals Rising Trend of Gambling in Nigeria." 77% prevalence, 36% adult participation, 53% daily, 64% Bet9ja awareness. (noi-polls.com/post/new-poll-reveals-rising-trend-of-gambling-in-nigeria)
- [6] Gazette NGR (2024). "With β¦975 Million Spent Daily, Gambling Reps Move to Stop Sports Betting." NLTF data, 65M bettors. (gazettengr.com/with-975-million-spent-daily-gambling-reps-move-to-stop-sports-betting/)
- [7] Aguocha & George (2021), ibid. No specialist treatment centres, 1-8% problem gambling rate.
- [8] iGaming Expert (2025). "Nigeria Gambling Bill: CGG Condemns 'Legislative Rascality.'" 16% growth forecast. (igamingexpert.com/news/regulation/nigeria-gambling-bill/)
- [9] iGaming Today (2025). "Nigeria's President Blocks Federal Control of Lottery and Gaming." (igamingtoday.com/nigerias-president-blocks-federal-control-of-lottery-and-gaming/)
- [10] FIJ.ng (2023). "Analysis: Nigeria Is Raking in Money from Gambling. What About Addicts?" Casino Taxation Act 1965, 1997 concessions, National Adolescent Health Policy 2019. (fij.ng/article/analysis-nigeria-is-raking-in-money-from-gambling-what-about-addicts/)
- [11] MarketingEdge/NAN (2019). "Nigerians Spend N730 Billion on Sports Betting Annually." 14M daily internet stakes. (marketingedge.com.ng/nigerians-spend-n730billion-on-sports-betting-annually/)
- [12] GovBusinessJournal (2020). "The $2 Billion Nigeria Betting Industry." 66% lifetime participation, $4.7B potential revenue, 10M potential jobs. (govbusinessjournal.com/the-2-billion-nigeria-betting-industry-its-key-drivers-license-taxes-and-users/)
- [13] Cross River State Lottery DG (Oct 2024). "60 Million Nigerians Engage in Gambling Daily." N500-600B industry, Lagos $243M revenue, 90% untapped. (news.crossriverstate.gov.ng/60million-nigerians-engage-in-gambling-daily/)
- [14] Legit.ng/SEC (2025). "60 Million Nigerians Spend $5.5M Daily on Gambling; SEC Raises Alarm." Fewer than 3M invest, N1 trillion annual market, 168M African bettors. (legit.ng/business-economy/economy/1680938/)
- [15] iGamingBusiness (Dec 2025). "Nigeria President Rebukes Central Gaming Bill." Tinubu: "I am a constitutional democrat..." (igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/nigeria-president-rebukes-central-gaming-bill/)
- [16] Africa-Press (2025). "Ban Sports Betting in Nigeria: Omokri Tells Tinubu." (africa-press.net/nigeria/policy/ban-sports-betting-in-nigeria-omokri-tells-tinubu)
- [17] iGamingAfrika (2025). "Rep. Kelechi Nwogu Counters Sports Betting Ban Reports in Nigeria." (igamingafrika.com/rep-kelechi-nwogu-counters-sports-betting-ban-reports-in-nigeria/)
- [18] DailyPost (Sept 2025). "Naira Marley Warns Nigerian Youths Against Sports Betting." (dailypost.ng/2025/09/15/naira-marley-warns-nigerian-youths-against-sports-betting/)
- [19] BusinessPost (2025). "Nigeria's Sports Betting Industry Faces Economic Knockout: Maikori." (businesspost.ng/sports/nigerias-sports-betting-industry-faces-economic-knockout-maikori/)
- [20] NewTelegraph (2025). "Abbas Decries Dangerous Sports Betting, Gambling in Nigeria." Speaker calls it national security threat. (newtelegraphng.com/abbas-decries-dangerous-sports-betting-gambling-in-nigeria/)
- [21] Tribune Online (2025). "CSOs Condemn Move by Senate to Regulate Lottery, Gambling Across Nigeria." (tribuneonlineng.com/csos-condemn-move-by-senate-to-regulate-lottery-gambling-across-nigeria/)
- [22] Vanguard (Feb 2026). "How Gaming (Baba Ijebu) Has Transformed Nigeria Positively." (vanguardngr.com/2026/02/how-gaming-baba-ijebu-has-transformed-nigeria-positively/)
- [23] TheSun (Jan 2026). "Gambling Rules Changed in January 2026." FSGRN licensing takes effect. (thesun.ng/gambling-rules-changed-in-january-2026/) / TheCable (2026). "Gambling in Nigeria in 2026: What Changed in January." (thecable.ng/gambling-in-nigeria-in-2026-what-changed-in-january/)
- [24] Okere (2025). "IJIHENS," 13(1):80-88, citing CBN/NIBSS data via Adigun 2020. Web payments: β¦132B (2016) β β¦185B (2017). (seahipublications.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IJIHENS-M-10-2025.pdf)
- [25] Adeyemi et al. (2025). "Gambling Addiction in Nigeria: Prevalence, Regional Disparities and Policy Implications." IPS J. Public Health, 5(3):362-367. $400-500B industry estimate, citing Omanchi & Dannap 2024.
- [26] Obiekea, P.O. (2025). "The Damaging Effects of Betting on Bank Staff in Nigeria: Focus on Zenith Bank Plc." Int. J. Innov. Finance and Econs Res., 13(2):305-316. 60M+ active bettors, 35% of workers aged 25-40 bet (Ojukwu & Ajayi 2022), 53.7% of Zenith Bank staff (N=190) bet. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15622705. (seahipublications.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IJIFER-J-25-2025.pdf)
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