President Tinubu strengthens operators' confidence and rejects federal control over gambling

President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu refused to sign the Central Gaming Bill, causing a strong reaction in the gambling market. This event put an end to months of uncertainty surrounding the future regulation of the industry. Operators received long-awaited clarity, and state regulators—confirmation of their authority. Tinubu’s decision became not just a legal act, but a symbol of the triumph of regional interests over centralization attempts.

Why the struggle for federal regulation of gambling arose and how it affects the economy

The Central Gaming Bill was developed to create a unified system for regulating online games, lotteries, and betting across the country. The bill proposed repealing the existing National Lottery Act and transferring control to the federation. Such an initiative emerged against the backdrop of the rapid growth of the gambling market, which brings billions of rubles to the country’s budget annually. In Nigeria, gambling is regulated at the state level, which allows for consideration of regional specifics and support for local projects. The federal government traditionally is responsible only for issues related to cross-border operations and national lotteries.

How the discussion around the Central Gaming Bill unfolded and what arguments were made

Supporters of federal regulation insisted on the need for unified standards for the entire country. They argued that this would ensure transparency, strengthen control over operators’ activities, and increase tax revenues to the federal budget. Opponents of the bill, including state representatives and the legal community, reminded of the need to comply with the constitution and consider the specifics of each region. Special significance was given to the 2024 Supreme Court decision, which confirmed that gambling issues fall under so-called “residual matters”—that is, powers not assigned to the federation and transferred to the states. This term means that regulation of such areas belongs exclusively to local authorities, unless issues of national scale are affected.

What President Tinubu decided and how he justified his choice

At a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party, President Tinubu clearly expressed his position. He reminded that the country’s constitution clearly delineates powers between the center and the regions. Tinubu emphasized: “What I want you to forget is a centralized lottery. Read the constitution again. This is a matter that is entirely within the jurisdiction of the states.” The president added: “There’s no need to argue. I am a constitutional democrat. Lotteries, lottery laws, gambling, whatever you call it, I will not sign such a law.” His statement put an end to the months-long debate and confirmed respect for judicial decisions.

How government bodies and the legal community reacted to the rejection of the law

The Federation of State Gambling Regulators welcomed the president’s decision. Regulators called the Central Gaming Bill an attempt to undermine the supremacy of the constitution and ignore the Supreme Court’s position. Representatives of Lagos, one of the largest gambling centers, also opposed the bill. Lawyers pointed out that passing the law contradicts not only the constitution but also the latest court decision. Some experts warned: an attempt to impose federal control could lead to the filing of new lawsuits and protracted disputes, which would create risks for the entire industry.

What the rejection of federal control means for operators and the gambling market

For operators, the president’s decision became a signal for long-term planning and investment. Among the key advantages:

• Legal certainty for doing business
• The opportunity to develop long-term growth strategies
• Preservation and development of partnerships with local companies and authorities

However, a number of challenges remain:

• Differences in regulation between states may complicate business scaling
• Investors face the need to take into account the specifics of each region
• Legal fragmentation may slow down the digital transformation of the industry

This lack of uniformity in legislation is not just an abstract legal issue, but a daily reality: the same online product in different regions falls under different definitions, licensing requirements, and how it can be presented to the audience. Therefore, practical reference formats that collect information around specific game categories and access scenarios are increasingly appearing on the market.

In iGaming, as a related field, when discussing crash formats and fast online games, collections and guides are used as a reference point. We decided to study what users most often find from such compilations in the top search results. One of the most visited was a site with a review of jet x money game as an example of a directory of platforms and applications for crash games popular among users.

Such examples emphasize the idea of refusing to establish a single vertical structure, which gives operators predictability but leaves the need to work flexibly with regulators in practice. It is precisely how carefully the market learns to live with these differences that will determine both the pace of digital transformation and the resilience of the entire industry.

The impact of the situation on the economy is manifested in the fact that stability of the regulatory framework contributes to market growth, but the absence of a unified standard requires flexibility and adaptation.

What steps the parties plan after the president’s decision and how the situation may develop

The authorities of Lagos and other states have already announced their readiness to challenge the actions of parliament if centralization attempts continue. The following scenarios are possible:

• Filing new lawsuits in case of repeated attempts to change legislation
• Initiative to revise certain provisions at the state level
• Strengthening dialogue between regions and the federal center to seek compromise

At the international level, such conflicts are not uncommon. For example, in the USA and Germany, gambling regulation also largely remains within the jurisdiction of individual regions, which allows for consideration of local needs but raises questions about harmonization of regulations.

Opportunities and risks for the future of the gambling market in Nigeria

Operators receive a unique opportunity to develop innovative products based on a stable legal framework. In conditions of predictability, it is possible to make long-term plans, implement digital solutions, and expand local presence. However, unresolved issues remain:

• How consistency of standards between states will be ensured
• What measures investors will take for risk mitigation
• How the industry will respond to possible new challenges and initiatives from the center

The situation requires continuous monitoring, as the balance of interests between the regions and the center may change under the influence of economic or political factors.

Overview of further steps and likely scenarios for market development

In the coming months, market participants will have to closely monitor the actions of parliament and state initiatives. Special attention will be paid to possible changes in legislation and court decisions that may affect the rules of the game. The open question remains: will Nigeria be able to maintain a balance between regional autonomy and the need for unified standards for the sustainable development of the gambling industry?