Nigeria’s state gaming regulators unite with new licensing framework
Operators can now offer gambling services across all member states with a single URC licence.
Nigeria.- In a groundbreaking move to streamline gaming regulations across the country, the member states of the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) have signed the Subnational Reciprocity Licensing Framework.
The signing ceremony, which took place at the Radisson Hotel in Lagos on May 7, 2025, united gaming regulators from various states.
With the new pact, member states now have a unified framework for regulating online gaming activities in their respective jurisdictions. The framework covers licensing for all gambling operations, including online sports betting, online casinos, public online lottery and promotional competitions.
The agreement also introduces a “Universal Reciprocity Certificate” (URC) that enables operators to offer gaming and betting services across all member states with a single licence.
This move will streamline licensing processes, reduce duplicate regulatory obligations, and create a more attractive and cohesive business environment for operators in Nigeria.
The new arrangement mandates that operators previously licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) or individual member states must now apply for the Universal Reciprocity Certificate (URC) through the FSGRN Secretariat.
To ensure a smooth transition, the FSGRN is waiving 2025 licence fees for companies previously licensed by the defunct NLRC. However, operators must meet the FSGRN’s requirements to qualify.
Starting January 1, 2026, these operators will be required to renew and pay the applicable licence fees.
Nigeria’s state gaming regulators are coming into their powers after the NLRC’s act was rendered invalid by a Supreme Court judgment in November 2024.
The court ruled that the National Lottery Act 2005 is no longer enforceable in states outside the Federal Capital Territory, thereby giving states the autonomy to oversee lottery and games of chance in their jurisdictions.
