In a surprising turn of events, the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has once again locked horns with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) over the legitimacy of licenses for several gambling operators. The LSLGA, in a recent public notice, has issued banning orders to a group of operators, claiming they are offering gambling services without the necessary license in Lagos.
According to the LSLGA, the operators in question are in violation of Section 33(3) of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021. The list of operators includes well-known names such as Zebet, Betika, GoBet, Msport, 22Bet, Afribet, BangBet, Betwazobia, Koretbet, Paripesa, and Livescorebet.
However, a surprising twist unfolds as many of the accused operators actually possess licenses from the NLRC, the official national regulator. This revelation has raised questions about the compatibility and recognition of national licenses within the jurisdiction of Lagos.
In the ongoing dispute, the Lagos regulator has also flagged operators such as SetLotto, Hamabet, Megabet, Sportbet.io, Oddspedia, NGAwin, Netbet, Nairamillion, Eliest Lotto, PeelsLotto, RiderLotto, and BestBet360 as operating without a license. These operators, according to the NLRC’s public list, lack a valid license in Nigeria.
The LSLGA emphasizes that all the mentioned operators are not approved to offer gambling services in Lagos and has urged players to cease engaging with any of them. In a statement, the LSLGA said, “The LSLGA wishes to reaffirm its commitment to regulating and promoting the Lagos gaming industry to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are adequately protected.”
This is not the first time such a dispute has arisen between Lagos and the national regulator. A similar incident occurred in May 2020 when the LSLGA declared 10 gaming sites illegal in Lagos State despite possessing a national license. At that time, the NLRC argued that a national license grants operators the right to offer gaming services in Lagos State, a claim contested by the LSLGA.
