Nigeria’s Lagos regulator urges players to verify gaming operator licences
The LSLGA has published steps for checking licensed operators and warned that gaming companies operating without state authorisation are illegal.
Nigeria.- Nigeria’s Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has urged players, businesses and other stakeholders to verify that gaming operators hold valid licences before engaging with them.
In a September 11 public notice titled “How to check if a gaming operator is licensed in Lagos State”, the authority set out steps for checking whether betting, casino and lottery operators are authorised to operate in Lagos State.
“Before you play, bet or partner with any gaming company operating in Lagos State, confirm that it holds a valid licence from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA),” the authority said.
The regulator said anyone operating without an LSLGA licence is breaking the law in Lagos State and urged players to report operators that are not listed on its register. “If you come across a betting site, casino, lottery, gaming machine or promotional draw operating in Lagos State that does not appear on the register, report it to the Authority,” the LSLGA said.
The authority publishes a register of licensed operators grouped by licence category, including online sports betting, online casino, public online lottery, hotel and standalone casino, pools betting, gaming machines, scratch cards, other games and B2B suppliers.
Each register entry includes the company name, licence category and licence expiry date. The LSLGA said that where an expiry date has passed, the operator is not currently authorised to offer that gaming service in Lagos until its licence is renewed.
The notice directs players to the LSLGA’s list of licensed operators, while also providing a link for reporting gaming companies that may be operating without a licence. The regulator also publishes the names of operators found to be providing gaming services in Lagos State without authorisation.
The LSLGA regulates lotteries, sports betting, casinos, gaming machines, promotional competitions and other gaming activities in Lagos State. It also clarified that holding a national licence is not sufficient to operate within the state. An operator offering gaming services in Lagos State must hold a licence from the LSLGA.
The LSLGA said the register is updated as licences are issued, renewed or expire, allowing players to check an operator’s current status before placing a bet or using its services.
The notice comes as the LSLGA continues its focus on safer gambling and player protection. On September 10, the authority hosted a press conference with gambling and healthcare stakeholders in Lagos to discuss safer gambling and player protection as part of Africa Safer Gambling Week.
