What is the gambling law in Nigeria?

The main gambling law in Nigeria is a combination of federal and state legislation. At the federal level, the most significant laws are the National Lottery Act of 2005 and the Criminal Code Act of 1990. The National Lottery Act established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, which oversees the regulation of lottery and gaming activities in the country.

The Criminal Code Act, in Chapter 22, defines what constitutes legal and illegal gambling. Legal forms of gambling include sports betting, land-based casinos, and lotteries. Conversely, games of chance such as roulette, dice games, and non-skilled card games are considered illegal. While the law is clear on these distinctions for land-based operations, it does not explicitly address online gambling, creating a gray area that many online operators and bettors navigate.

Each state in Nigeria also has the authority to regulate gambling within its borders, leading to a dual-layered regulatory system.