Lagos Clamps Down on Unlicensed Gambling Sites in Nigeria
Regulatory Action by Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority
The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), the primary gambling regulator in Lagos, has recently taken stringent action against several gambling operators. These operators have been identified as conducting gambling activities in the state without proper licensing, a violation of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021, specifically Section 33(3).
Identified Operators Without State Licenses
The LSLGA’s public notice lists numerous operators, including Zebet, Betika, GoBet, Msport, 22Bet, Afribet, BangBet, Betwazobia, Koretbet, Paripesa, and Livescorebet, as functioning without the requisite state license. Interestingly, many of these operators are licensed by Nigeria’s national gambling regulator, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).
Furthermore, the Lagos regulator highlighted additional operators such as SetLotto, Hamabet, Megabet, Sportbet.io, Oddspedia, NGAwin, Netbet, Nairamillion, Eliest Lotto, PeelsLotto, RiderLotto, and BestBet360, all of which lack any form of licensing in Nigeria, as per the NLRC’s public records. Others in this category include Firstbet, Betxperience, Giveraffle, Wakabet, Betfarm, Chopbarh, PlentyMillions, Nairapowerbet, Gamespay, and Xtragoalfantasy.
Call for Player Caution
The LSLGA is urging players to discontinue using these unlicensed gambling services. It has reiterated its dedication to regulating and fostering a safe gaming environment in Lagos, emphasizing the protection of stakeholder interests.
Ongoing Dispute with National Regulator
This is not the first instance of discord between Lagos’ state regulator and the national regulatory body. A similar situation unfolded in May 2020 when the LSLGA deemed 10 gaming sites operating with national licenses as illegal within Lagos State. This declaration contradicts the NLRC’s stance, which maintains that a national license should suffice for operators to conduct business in Lagos. This ongoing dispute highlights the complexities and challenges in the regulatory landscape of Nigeria’s gambling industry.
State-level enforcement versus national licensing creates operational minefield for operators and players in Lagos.
We're watching a critical fragmentation in Nigeria's gambling framework. Lagos and the national regulator are fundamentally at odds on whether national licenses suffice—and operators caught in the middle face real enforcement risk. This matters to any brand operating across Nigeria's regulated markets.
- LSLGA banned 30+ operators including NLRC-licensed names like Zebet and Betika for lacking state licenses
- Dispute between state and national regulators ongoing since at least May 2020 with no resolution
- Operators licensed nationally but not in Lagos face enforcement action and player protection gaps
SCCG angle: Our network spans regulated markets globally and we track these jurisdictional collisions closely. We can help clients map the real licensing requirements on the ground in Lagos versus national frameworks—and identify which partners actually operate legally where.
Gaming, betting and prediction markets — the desk’s read, every weekday.
Subscribe →