State Gaming Regulators, Including Enugu, Back FSGRN in Rejecting Nigeria’s Central Gaming Bill

The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN), supported by state-level bodies including the Enugu State Gaming Commission, has formally opposed the Central Gaming Bill 2025 — a federal initiative to centralise iGaming regulation — citing constitutional and jurisdictional concerns.

The FSGRN, which represents the gaming regulators of 24 Nigerian states, issued a statement in July 2025 reaffirming that the proposed Central Gaming Bill 2025 attempts to reintroduce features of the nullified National Lottery Act through a new name. The body emphasised that state governments exclusively possess legislative power over gambling and lotteries under the 1999 Constitution.

In the press release the FSGRN named member-states including Enugu, Edo, Lagos and others as backing the position that the Bill is “ultra vires” — beyond federal competence. The Enugu State Gaming Commission, in a separate local statement, welcomed the FSGRN’s objections and asserted the state’s right to regulate gaming autonomously.

Under the proposed Bill, the federal government sought to establish a National Gaming Commission with licensing authority over online, retail and lottery gaming across all states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Bill had already cleared third reading in the National Assembly.

The FSGRN’s opposition focuses on:

• The Supreme Court’s November 2024 ruling that games of chance fall under residual matters and are subject to state regulation.
• A view that central regulation would undermine state revenue-sharing and local licensing control.
• Legal risk that the Bill may ultimately be struck down as unconstitutional if passed.

Industry observers say this conflict may delay federal-level reform in Nigeria’s gambling sector for years. With states united in opposition and the constitution on their side, the Central Gaming Bill appears to be under serious threat of collapse, unless major amendments are made.