Growth in West Africa was driven largely by Nigeria, the region’s largest economy. Average growth in the region stood at 4.3 per cent in 2021 and is projected to remain strong at 4.1 per cent in 2022. According to the Digital 2021: Nigeria report compiled by DataReportal as of January 2021, Nigeria had a population of 208.8 million, and about 104.4 million were Internet users, giving a mobile penetration rate of 50 per cent. Of those, 93.3 per cent accessed the Internet via a mobile phone. According to the same report, the number of Internet users in Nigeria increased by as much as 19 million, or 22 per cent, between 2020 and 2021.
Sports betting continues to be the dominant form of gambling and it has increased due to growing access to the Internet and new payment methods. Authorities estimate that 60 per cent - 70 per cent of gaming activity in the country now occurs online.
Major changes look to be on the way with the government set to put in place new gambling laws and ensure that current licence holders meet with the terms of their licences. The NLRC has
recognised that not enough money is being generated to the state as the Nigerian government received less than N1 billion revenue from the gaming industry in 2019, while international stakeholders, generated in excess of N250 billion in the same year
according to the government.
Both land-based and online sports betting operators are licensed by the government through the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), but are sometimes already licensed by state governments as well, meaning that licensing is complex as it is sometimes conducted at both a national and state level.
Casinos can be standalone establishments or be attached to hotels. Tere are approximately 150 licensed casinos in Lagos alone (50 per cent of all licensed casinos in the country).
Major changes look to be on the way with the government set to put in place new gambling laws and ensure that current licence holders meet with the terms of their licences. Te NLRC has recognised that not enough money is being generated for the state as the Nigerian government received less than N1 billion revenue from the gaming industry in 2019, while international
P32 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
stakeholders, generated in excess of N250 billion in the same year, according to the government.
As a result, in 2021 the government said that it was planning to put in place a Central Monitoring System (CMS) to help boost revenue generation.
Te implementation will be part of a much wider move on behalf of the federal government to repeal the National Lottery Act (NLA) 2005 and put in place new gambling legislation. Te government said that it had hoped to pass Te Gaming Act in 2021. However, it now hopes to renew its gaming laws this year.
In Nigeria, those companies offering sports betting are known as Sports Lotteries Operators (SLOs) and they are also licensed by the NLRC. Tese will be covered in the new law as well as all
The need for tighter regulation was brought into stark focus this year when the West
African financial intelligence agency the Inter-
Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering
reported that many landbased operators may be involved in money laundering. This is of especial importance as Nigeria is battling to stem terrorism financing amid the escalating attacks by terrorists from the Islamic State West Africa Province.
other types of gaming. In March 2021, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume (a long time supporter of gambling reform), announced that the government was pushing for change due to the industry’s capacity to create jobs and increase the nation’s GDP. Crucially, it would help put into action President Muhammadu Buhari-led government’s pledge of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
Te need for tighter regulation was brought into stark focus this year when the West African financial intelligence agency, the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering, reported that many land-based operators may be involved in money laundering. Tis is of especial importance as Nigeria is battling to stem terrorism financing amid the escalating attacks by terrorists from the Islamic State West Africa Province. Numerous terrorist attacks have occurred in the region since 2016.
NIGERIA
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