Nigeria gaming regulators challenge federal lottery oversight
The dispute centres on the boundary between federal consumer protection and state authority over lotteries and games of chance.
Key takeaways:
- Nigeria’s Federation of State Gaming Regulators (FSGRN) has called on the FCCPC to amend its proposed Sales Promotion (Amended) Regulations, 2026.
- The federation argues that the draft encroaches on state gaming regulators’ authority over lotteries and games of chance.
- The dispute follows a November 2024 Supreme Court ruling on the National Lottery Act 2005.
- The FCCPC published the draft on September 30, 2026, and the deadline for public comments passed on October 20, 2026.
Nigeria.- Nigeria’s Federation of State Gaming Regulators (FSGRN) has challenged proposed federal sales-promotion regulations, arguing that provisions covering lotteries and prize draws could encroach on state gaming authorities’ powers. The dispute raises questions about the boundary between federal consumer protection and state-level gaming regulation following the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling on lottery oversight.
The FSGRN, in a statement published by Premium Times on October 21, called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to amend its Draft Sales Promotion (Amended) Regulations, 2026. The federation objects to provisions it says would give the FCCPC regulatory, licensing, approval and supervisory powers over lotteries, promotional lotteries, prize draws and related gaming activities.
The federation argues that these activities fall within the jurisdiction of state gaming authorities and that the draft risks reintroducing federal lottery oversight through a separate regulatory framework. It has also called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure that federal agencies respect the Supreme Court’s judgment.
In November 2024, Nigeria’s Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005, ruling that the National Assembly lacked the constitutional authority to regulate lotteries and games of chance within the states. The court issued a perpetual injunction restraining federal enforcement of the Act in the plaintiff states, while the Federal Capital Territory remained within the National Assembly’s legislative jurisdiction. The judgment concerned the National Lottery Act, not the FCCPC’s 2026 draft regulations.
The draft was published on September 30, and the stated comment deadline was October 20. The proposed amendments update Nigeria’s existing sales-promotion rules and modify applicable notification fees. The commission said the consultation was intended to gather input on measures to protect consumers and ensure fair promotional practices.
The draft has also drawn criticism from the Foundation for Consumer Freedom Advancement (FCFA), which submitted comments ahead of the consultation deadline. The organisation supports measures to prevent fraudulent promotions but argues that some proposed requirements could extend too broadly to ordinary commercial advertising and discounts. Its concerns are separate from the FSGRN’s constitutional objections.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What is the FSGRN challenging in Nigeria? The federation opposes provisions in the FCCPC’s draft sales-promotion regulations that it believes would extend federal oversight to lotteries, prize draws and related gaming activities.
- What did Nigeria’s Supreme Court rule on lottery regulation in 2024? The Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 in its application to the states involved in the case and restrained federal interference in their lottery regulation. The Federal Capital Territory was treated separately.
- What are Nigeria’s proposed Sales Promotion Regulations 2026? They are proposed amendments to Nigeria’s existing sales-promotion rules, intended to protect consumers and promote fair promotional practices. The draft also proposes changes to applicable notification fees.
