Nigeria’s president condemns Central Gaming Bill

Author note

Punchy: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has drawn a firm line in the sand — a centralised federal gaming law is off the table. If you work in Nigerian iGaming, legal, or regulation, this is a decisive moment that reshapes who issues licences and who calls the shots.

Summary

President Tinubu publicly rejected the Central Gaming Bill at the APC National Executive Committee meeting, reiterating the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgement that games of chance and lottery regulation are matters for state legislatures, not the federal government. He said he would refuse to sign any centralised lottery or gaming bill, urging lawmakers to stick to the constitution.

The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) — a coalition of 24 state governments — and the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) backed Tinubu’s stance, arguing the Central Gaming Bill was effectively a rework of the now-invalid National Lottery Act 2005 and would unlawfully reintroduce federal control.

Despite repeated attempts by the National Assembly to push the bill through, legal experts and public-interest groups had already criticised it as unconstitutional. With the president’s statement, industry observers say the controversy is effectively settled, at least politically, ahead of the busy Christmas period for Nigeria’s iGaming market.

Key Points

President Tinubu reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision that lotteries and games of chance fall under state legislative powers.
He publicly declared he would not sign any centralised gaming or lottery bill into law.
The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria opposes the Central Gaming Bill, calling it a repackaged version of the National Lottery Act 2005.
The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority praised the president for upholding the federal structure and state regulatory authority.
The National Assembly had attempted to revisit federal regulation despite legal and public opposition; the president’s rebuke weakens those efforts.
The ruling has immediate implications for operators, regulators and licence frameworks across Nigeria, especially as the sector approaches peak trading at Christmas.

Context and relevance

This announcement settles a major constitutional and regulatory dispute in Nigeria’s gaming industry. If the Central Gaming Bill had passed, it would have shifted licensing and oversight from states to the federal level — changing where operators apply for licences, how revenue is distributed, and which rules apply.

For operators, suppliers and legal advisers, Tinubu’s position means the current state-based regulatory landscape remains the reference point. For state regulators it is a clear victory that preserves local control and enforcement powers. The decision also reduces the short-term legal risk of a sudden nationwide framework being imposed, though political and legislative pressures may persist.

Why should I read this?

Quick take: if you care about who licences and regulates gambling in Nigeria — because you operate there, advise clients, or track market access — this is crucial. Tinubu’s statement basically kills the idea of a federal lottery monopoly for now, saves states’ control, and tells the industry which rulebook will apply this Christmas. Short, sharp and highly relevant.