Nigerian-owned, edited in Lagos
Is sports betting legal in my state?
Nigeria licenses sports betting at the state level, not just federally. That means the rules, and the operators you can use, change when you cross state borders. Here's what applies where.
Lagos
Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA)
LSLGA licenses most major local operators, including Bet9ja, BetKing, SportyBet and Betano, under the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Act.
Read the Lagos guide →FCT (Abuja)
National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC)
The FCT is regulated federally by the NLRC. Many online-first operators with national ambitions hold NLRC licences.
Read the FCT (Abuja) guide →Rivers
Rivers State Gaming Authority
Rivers has its own state authority and a growing retail scene in Port Harcourt.
Read the Rivers guide →Kano
Kano State Government (Sharia-restricted)
Kano operates under Sharia law. Commercial sports betting is restricted and the online scene is informal.
Read the Kano guide →Oyo
Oyo State Gaming Board
Ibadan has a mature retail network. The Oyo State Gaming Board handles licensing and compliance.
Read the Oyo guide →Federal vs state licensing
After the November 2024 Supreme Court ruling, gambling regulation in Nigeria sits primarily with state authorities. Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, Kano and FCT each operate their own gaming boards and licensing regimes. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) continues to oversee federal lottery and sports pool products under the National Lottery Act 2005, but its reach over online sportsbooks has narrowed since the ruling.
For the bettor, the practical rule is this: use operators that hold a licence in the state you bet from. Most major brands hold multiple state licences for exactly this reason.