TITLE: Nigeria's Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Enforces Regulatory Jurisdiction Through High Court Judgments
BODY:
The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) released a public notice affirming its statutory mandate following landmark High Court judgments that reaffirmed the regulator's authority over all gaming operators servicing Lagos residents. The High Court of Lagos State determined that all gaming operators—whether physical, online, or remote—must comply with state licensing, registration, and tax obligations under the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021.
The court rulings establish several key regulatory principles. The LSLGA possesses full legal authority to assess, impose, and recover all license fees, penalties, and the statutory Good Causes Levy on gross gaming revenue. Operating, maintaining, or promoting sports betting, casino, or online gaming services in Lagos State without a valid LSLGA operating license is unlawful. Operators cannot bypass Lagos laws by locating administrative offices or servers outside the state; acceptance of wagers from Lagos residents establishes full regulatory jurisdiction. The LSLGA is legally authorized to access, inspect, and audit all operational and financial records of gaming operators to ensure precise fee assessment. The High Court issued perpetual injunctions restraining non-compliant operators from continuing business until full compliance is met.
Three operators faced enforcement action in 2026: Zegaming Nigeria Limited (suit LD/5131CMW/2024), Africa Betting Company Nigeria Ltd. (suit LD/5129CMW/2024), and Mozzartbet Services Limited (suit LD/718CM/2024). The court declared their operations illegal and imposed compliance orders and financial penalties.
The LSLGA directed all unlicensed sports betting, casino, lottery, and gaming platforms offering services within Lagos State to immediately suspend non-compliant activities and initiate regularization. Continued defiance will attract enforcement action, back-dated levy recovery, court injunctions, and prosecution under Section 85 of the law.