Africa: Online Market Update


Major Changes 5 Nigeria


Nigeria’s Supreme Court has granted states full control over gambling regulation, paving the way for market expansion and potentially $1 billion in industry growth by 2030.


Nigeria is set to undergo significant changes in gambling regulation following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the National Lottery Act of 2005. While the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) governs federal gambling activities, Nigeria's federal structure allows each of the 36 states considerable autonomy in this area. Many states have their own lottery boards, while others rely on internal tax revenue services to manage gambling, with some lacking regulations entirely. Te NLRC, established by the 2005 Act, was responsible


for licensing and monitoring gambling but often faced friction with state governments. States like Edo have begun updating their laws, with the Edo Internal Revenue Service regulating various gaming activities since 2021, and Lagos creating its own Gaming Authority to cover online gambling as well. Te Supreme Court's November 2024 ruling nullified


the National Lottery Act's regulatory power outside the Federal Capital Territory. Tis mean that states have their own say on how to regulate lotteries and gambling independently. Te decision originated from a case going as far back as 2008 and was initiated by Lagos State. It cannot be appealed. Te ruling is a watershed moment and will have a huge


impact on the gambling industry, which could, according to some predictions, become a billion-dollar sector by 2030.


While operators will primarily be obligated to pay taxes


according to the specific laws of each state, online operators functioning across multiple states in Nigeria may face the need for multiple registrations in each jurisdiction where they operate. In addition, we are already witnessing a crackdown on land-based betting operators in Kano State, one of the 12 predominantly Muslim states in Nigeria where Islamic sharia law is implemented alongside federal law.


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Political Landscape 6 South Africa


South Africa moves closer to regulating online casinos after years of legislative stagnation, as a new coalition and revived Remote Gambling Bill signal growing momentum for reform.


We’re seeing the beginnings of a change to the way gambling is regulated in South Africa as well. Te National Gambling Amendment Act, 2008 was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the Presidency on 10 July 2008. It was meant to be an attempt to legalise online casino gaming in the country and make provisions for the regulation of this market. However, to date, the Amendment Act has not been brought into operation by the President meaning that there has been a legal void when it comes to online casino gambling for over 16 years. Online sports betting on the other hand is legal but only via licensed land- based bookmaker in South Africa. An attempt to pass the Remote Gambling Bill was put


forward by the centre-right DA Democratic Alliance party (DA) the official opposition to the ruling African National Congress (ANC) before South Africa’s general election as far back as 2014.


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