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Nigeria’s gambling sector is heading into 2026 still caught between state and federal authority, but one major supplier says a fix is possible if regulators stop pulling in opposite directions.
Ben Cove, chief marketing officer at Logifuture, said he hopes “common sense” will prevail this year as Nigeria tries to settle how lotteries and gaming should be policed after a long legal battle. Logifuture powers Bet9ja, one of the country’s biggest betting names.
Current state of the gambling industry in Nigeria
The uncertainty deepened late last year when Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the Central Gaming Bill. He argues it would clash with a 2024 Supreme Court of Nigeria decision that pushed regulation back to the states. The ruling struck down the National Lottery Act nationwide, limiting federal reach to the Federal Capital Territory and leaving operators to brace for a more state-led era.
Cove said the goal should be a workable system that protects both customers and licensed firms, warning against a scenario in which offshore operators “jump in,” grab market share, and avoid tax.
Bet9ja’s retail footprint keeps the business steady as lawyers watch the fine print
Cove acknowledged the situation keeps legal teams busy, but said day-to-day operations have largely held up. He said the group is licensed “in every state that offers a licence,” and claimed Bet9ja has more than 20,000 retail outlets across the country, with online operations continuing.
He also pointed to demographics as a reason global firms continue to watch Nigeria, despite the policy fog. Cove said more than a million Nigerians turn 18 each year, creating what he described as a constant pipeline of new adult customers.
Still, he cautioned that even with clearer rules, Nigeria is not an easy market to enter. Brand-building and distribution can be expensive, and investors should not expect fast returns given wallet size and average stake levels.
Even as suppliers call for ‘common sense’ and a clearer national direction, the dispute between Enugu State’s gaming regulator and Bet9ja is still running through the courts. Earlier this month, the state sealed the operator’s outlets, and the company said it would keep pressing its case at the Enugu State High Court.
Source: iGB
