Nullification of the National Lottery Act and the National Lottery Regulation Commission (NLRC) by the Supreme Court of Nigeria

As highlighted in our earlier published Client Alert,  the Supreme Court’s recent decision nullifying the National Lottery Act and dissolving the National Lottery Regulatory Commission redefines the regulatory framework for Nigeria’s gambling industry.

The ruling shifted exclusive regulatory authority to state governments, requiring operators to adapt to a decentralised system where each state maintains its own licensing framework.

While this landmark judgement empowers states to establish their own regulatory systems, it creates operational complexities for businesses that previously functioned under a single federal framework.

The regulatory oversight of inherently interstate online gambling operations, combined with the complexities of interstate operations, demonstrates the pressing need for legislative guidance and regulatory collaboration among states.

Read the full publication authored by our Partner, Ijeoma Uju, Managing Counsel, Oghomwen Akpaibor, and Senior Associate, Okabonye Chukwuani, to understand how this ruling restructure the gambling industry’s regulatory landscape and how businesses can adapt their compliance strategies in this newly fragmented environment.