Nigerian Gambling Laws 2025
Over the years the Nigerian Government has passed several laws that have affected gambling operations in one way or another. Most of the laws addressing gambling in Nigeria are contained in the Nigerian criminal code and none of these laws makes any mention of online gambling. The primary forms of gambling that are legal by law in Nigeria are casino gambling, sports betting, lottery, and online gambling. The statues that make up Nigerian gambling laws are outdated and there is no indication that these laws will be updated anytime soon. This page is intended to provide information about the legal framework for legal online gambling in Nigeria and provide accurate information about current Nigerian gambling laws.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Nigeria?
Yes. There is no mention of online wagering in any Nigerian gambling law, so it is presumed legal by residents and state officials. As mentioned above, the laws that pertain to gambling activities are outdated and have not been amended to include online activities, therefore there are no processes in place for the licensing of Nigerian based online gambling outside of sports betting. The Nigerian criminal code outlaws un-licensed gambling houses so online casinos and other online wagering entities are considered illegal when operating within Nigeria’s borders.
An exception to the law is online sportsbooks and the online national lottery, which are both licensed and regulated by the Lagos State Lottery Board. The majority of online activities are unregulated, so it is possible to come across a Nigerian-based online casino in operation but since the online casino industry is not regulated we highly suggest that you only play at licensed and regulated offshore Nigerian legal online casinos.
Regulatory Agencies
In recent years Nigeria has become the #2 gambling country in Africa only falling behind South Africa. Today there are a couple of agencies that regulate gaming all gambling operations in Nigeria. Sports betting is the most popular form of wagering and bet shops are popping up in all 36 states. Football is by far the most wagered on sport consuming up to 70% of all sportsbooks bets. The two regulatory agencies that regulate all gaming operations in Nigeria are:
- Lagos State Lottery Board (LSLB) – Responsible for regulating casinos, lottery games and charity sweepstakes in the state of Lagos. The LSLB also regulates online sportsbooks and online lotteries.
- National Lottery Regulation Commission – Responsible for regulating lottery games throughout Nigeria.
Nigerian Gambling Laws Explained
Over the past 40 years, gambling laws have been enacted in Nigeria to protect its citizens and to define punishments for illegal gaming activities. While no mention of online activities is found in these laws, they do provide penalties and punishments for playing illegal games, operating illegal gaming houses, operating an illegal gaming machine and more. Here is a list of Nigerian gambling laws enacted and a brief description of what they intel.
- Casino Taxation Act (1965) – This act states that a tax on the net gaming revenue is payable to the Federal Board of Inland Revenue. The tax act also gives members of the Board the power to enter any casino with a warrant and review statements or returns.
- Casino and Gaming Law of Lagos State (2004) – This act gave the Lagos State Lottery Board the power to issue multiple lottery licenses in addition to the state-owned lottery license, providing a competitive platform for lottery operators.
- the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (2007) – This law established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and laid out the functions, operations and financial provisions of the commission.
- Criminal Code Act (1990) – Chapter 22 of the criminal code defines illegal gambling operations and punishments associated with operating or playing at an illegal gambling house. Non-skilled gambling is outlawed in this act.
- Gaming Machines Act (1977) – This act declares that owning or operating a gaming machine is illegal. It also states the punishment for owning or operating an illegal gaming machine is up to 1 year in prison and the machine will be forfeited to the Nigerian Federal Government.
What Are The Legal Forms Of Online Gambling In Nigeria?
Nigerians are allowed to wager freely online with no restrictions. There are no laws that specifically state that online wagering is illegal, in result Nigerians often wager over the internet. Online casinos are not allowed to operate within Nigeria’s borders because they cannot be licensed. However, there are online sportsbooks and online lotteries that are regulated and licensed to operate in Nigeria.
Illegal Gambling In Nigeria
Nigeria has a long history with illegal gambling operations from illegal slot machines to off the book casinos. One of the biggest problems today is underage sports betting. While taking bets from underage citizens is illegal, this law is rarely enforced. Most of the kids say that the business is very lucrative, and some are even hooked by the time they turn 18. One of the reasons it is so easy to get hooked is because Nigerian sportsbooks will accept almost any bet and low bets are often taken.
Some Nigerians do have a gambling problem, and this often leads to other illegal activities. There have been multiple accounts of illegal casinos, illegal gaming machines and illegal bookies operating inside of Nigeria. While the police have cracked down on the illegal gambling activities in general, many of these operations are still in existence today.
FAQ’s About Nigerian Gambling Laws
What Other Forms Of Gambling Are Legal In Nigeria?
In Nigeria the following forms of gambling are legal: sports betting, lottery, casino gambling, online gambling.
What Is The Legal Gambling Age In Nigeria?
The legal gambling age is 18 for Nigerians but residents must be 20 years of age to gamble at the brick-and-mortar casinos. Online gambling sites will accept registrations from anyone over the age of 18. Residents can legally purchase lottery tickets at 18 years of age.
What Is The Penalty For Operating Illegal Slot Machines?
According to the Gaming machines act of 1977, imprisonment for a year and a fine. Also, any gaming machine will be forfeited over to the local government and either re-purposed or destroyed.
Who Regulates Domestic Online Gambling Sites In Nigeria?
The Lagos State Lottery Board (LSLB) was established in 2004 to regulate the lottery and other gaming industries in the state of Lagos. Today the LSLB is responsible for regulating online sportsbooks and online lottery operations in Lagos on top of their other regulatory duties. The online services regulated by the LSLB are available to all Nigerians over the internet.