2025 opens a new era for Nigeria's gaming industry and raises questions about the future

The year 2025 became a true watershed for the entire gaming industry of Nigeria. In twelve months, the country went from protracted disputes over regulation to the introduction of new standards of responsibility and gaining international recognition. These changes not only changed the rules of the game but also presented new challenges to market participants, making them reflect on the future of the industry.

The President chooses federalism and changes the rules of regulation

The most important event of the year was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's refusal to sign the Central Gaming Law. This document envisaged transferring all powers to regulate gambling to the federal level, but the president decided to preserve the right of each state to independently control this sphere. This decision put an end to almost twenty years of disputes between federal and regional authorities, strengthening the federal system of governance and emphasizing respect for the country's Constitution. International experts note that such decentralization corresponds to the best global practices, where regions themselves determine their approaches to regulation.

Regulators and operators join forces for industry development

In 2025, regulators and operators placed an emphasis on partnership and the development of the professional community. In Oyo, an achievement recognition ceremony was held, gathering representatives of the authorities, business, and innovative startups. In Lagos, a similar event was organized by the local lottery service, highlighting the importance of cooperation for advancing responsible gambling and innovation. The head of the Lagos Lottery Board, Bashir Are, noted: "Tonight is dedicated to partnership and progress, because only together can we protect players and support honest business."

A documentary reveals the social aspects of gambling addiction

One of the key events of the year was the release of the first national documentary about gambling addiction, "Behind the Bet." The film tells real stories of Nigerians who have faced gambling addiction and shows the scale of this little-discussed problem. The creators of the film aimed not only to draw public attention but also to give a voice to those who struggle with addiction, which became an important step towards fostering a more responsible attitude to the industry.

International recognition and removal from the FATF grey list

In 2025, Nigeria achieved removal from the so-called FATF "grey list"—an international organization combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Being on this list limits the country's access to investments and creates reputational risks. Thanks to reforms in financial flow control, as well as the active participation of market operators, the country was able to demonstrate a serious level of compliance with international standards, which increased the trust of investors and partners.

Technological initiatives and the fight against capital outflow

Technological projects and work on controlling currency flows played an important role in the development of the industry. The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), together with Azare Consulting, held a series of seminars for operators on the registration of technology transfer agreements. These measures are aimed at reducing the outflow of currency abroad and stimulating the development of local IT competencies. In 2025, new platforms for online games and automated monitoring systems were also introduced, which help to increase the transparency and efficiency of the market.

The progress of Nigerian authorities is especially noticeable in the regulation of online gambling, where currently there are practically no “shadow” online casinos, as confirmed by the statistics of most resources operating in the IGaming sector. Sites reviewing legal gambling services confirm that their traffic has increased significantly since stricter regulation was introduced. This is especially evident in the crash games segment, which is more popular among players. For example, the owners of a major gambling website that provides information about the lucky jet money game noticed that their traffic increased precisely at the moment when "grey" competitors were closed.

Thanks to such policies, Nigerian gambling regulators are trying to protect the country's population from the unlicensed market, leaving only trusted brands in the industry. Cooperation with such brands benefits the country's tax budgets, unlike illegal online services, whose profits go straight into the pockets of fraudsters.

The Federation of Regulators promotes unified standards and taxation

The Federation of State Gambling Regulators (FSGRN) in 2025 intensified its work on creating unified standards for the entire country. Among the proposals are the introduction of a single license, protection of players' personal data, as well as a unified tax of 11% on gross gaming revenue and an annual license fee of 100 million rubles. Market operators welcome the unification initiatives, however, some of them express concerns about the tax burden and the need to refine certain provisions.

Responsible gambling comes to the forefront thanks to new projects and trainings

In 2025, special attention was paid to the prevention of gambling addiction and support for those affected. The organization Gamble Alert, led by Fisayo Oke, held the country's first conference and a series of educational events, as well as established awards for leaders in the field of responsible gambling. Among those recognized were Ladipo Abisoye, founder of the GamblePause rehabilitation center, and Gabriel Akpabio, the inspirer of the GambleAwareNG project. The company BetPawa organized large-scale training for support service employees, inviting rehabilitation specialists to conduct the trainings.

Innovations in regulation: the SafePlay self-exclusion system

One of the main technological innovations of the year was the SafePlay system, implemented by the Lagos Lottery Board together with Safegaming Technologies. SafePlay allows players to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed gaming platforms for a period from several months to an indefinite restriction. This measure helps prevent the development of addiction and makes it easier for operators to meet social responsibility requirements. Experts note that the introduction of SafePlay has become an important step towards creating a safe environment for all market participants.

Major conferences and the growing influence of subnational regulators

A significant event for the industry was the conference in Enugu, which brought together representatives of the authorities, business, technology companies, and public organizations. The main topic of discussion was strengthening the role of regional regulators and the transition from a centralized to a decentralized management model. The forum made it possible to develop new approaches to licensing, data protection, and interaction between market participants.

Esports and mass tournaments become a new driver of the industry

In 2025, esports gained special popularity, facilitated by the large-scale 10N8E Free Fire Deca Cup tournament. The competition involved 236 teams, and the final was held in Lagos, gathering thousands of spectators. This format not only attracts young people but also contributes to the formation of a new image of the gaming industry as a modern and technological sector.

Open questions and prospects for the future

Despite significant progress, the industry faces a number of unresolved issues. Among them are improving regulation, increasing the level of player protection, optimizing the tax system, and developing domestic technologies. What the next stage for Nigeria's gaming industry will be depends on the joint efforts of the government, business, and society. Are market participants ready for new challenges, and will they be able to maintain the course towards sustainable development?