Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority hosts 2025 Gaming Operators Gala & Awards Night
The gala represents the latest effort by the LSLGA to strengthen relationships with an industry that generates billions in revenue.
Lagos.- The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has hosted the 2025 Gaming Operators Gala & Awards Night, celebrating the achievements of individuals and entities that run daily operations and support player safety in the state’s licensed betting and lottery market.
The event, held on November 25 at the Red Carpet Events Centre in Oniru Estate, drew an attendance of about 500 guests, including top executives from sportsbooks, casinos and banks that facilitate gaming payments.
The gala represented the latest effort by the LSLGA to strengthen relationships with an industry that generates billions in revenue, while also raising concerns about gambling addiction in Africa’s most populous city.
Bashir Are, LSLGA’s Chief Executive Officer, opened the evening with a speech on building trust through clear partnerships. He said: “Tonight is about partnership and progress”,pointing to recent steps by the regulator, like better digital tracking of bets and faster licence checks, which help keep the sector fair for players and viable for businesses.
Are also thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support, particularly in prioritising player welfare in the gaming industry.
Award winners spanned categories from payment services to community work. MTN Communications PLC took the Telco Company of the Year award for linking mobile networks to secure gaming access. Wema Bank PLC won Banking Platform of the Year for smooth transfers and clear records. Seven Up Bottling Company earned FMCG Company of the Year for campaigns that draw in users while meeting state guidelines.
In player-focused awards, Betway received the Customer Centric Award for strong service, ahead of Betano, SportyBet and Bet9ja. BetPawa got the Safer Gaming Leader Award for using data to spot and stop problem betting, topping BetGR8, Bet9ja and 1xBet. BetKing claimed the Community Impact Award for programmes that aid local groups, such as youth training in underserved areas. Gamble Alert won Responsible Gaming Advocacy for its collaborative efforts with LSLGA on awareness campaigns aimed at reducing gambling harm, beating Gamble Pause, Gamble Aware NG and Gamsafe. 1xBet picked up Best Sponsorship Programme for backing youth sports at the local level.
For operations, Winners Golden Chance Lotto secured operational excellence for steady work and rule-following. SportyBet was named Gaming Innovator of the Year for app updates that make betting easier on phones. Doxxbet earned Compliance Powerhouse for top records in audits.
Sector leaders included Hotfun – 9Jackpot as Gaming Machine Operator of the Year, Jacaranda Casino crowned Casino Operator of the Year, Bet9ja honoured in Sports Betting and Baba Ijebu as 2025’s best lottery operator.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s special awards, handed out by Youth and Sports Commissioner Mobolaji Ogunlende, went to Doxxbet, Federal Palace Hotels and Casino, BetKing and Baba Ijebu for steady contributions to Lagos gaming.
As Nigeria’s biggest gaming hub, Lagos sets examples for other states. In October, the LSLGA won the Regulatory Innovation Award at the International Association of Gaming Regulators conference in Toronto, in recognition of its SAFEPLAY tool which allows people to self-exclude from all licensed sites in one step. Since its launch, the tool has attracted hundreds of users, demonstrating a strong demand for self-exclusion and player protection options.
