Nigeria no longer has one national body that licenses online betting. The Supreme Court ruled in November 2024 that gaming is a state matter, except in Abuja. Online operators now apply to a state regulator, to Abuja's regulator, or for a joint certificate from a group of state regulators.
Who can license an online operator
Three kinds of body now issue licences. Which one you need depends on where your players are.
- State regulators. The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) and the Oyo State Gaming Board are two examples. Each state can make and enforce its own gaming rules.
- The Abuja regulator. The Federal Capital Territory Lottery Regulatory Office (FCT-LRO) covers Abuja. Our report on the FCT-LRO notice to former NLRC licensees explains its seven-day deadline.
- A group of state regulators. The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) is a coalition of 22 state regulators. It is not a statutory body. It issues a Universal Reciprocity Certificate (URC) that one guide says covers online sports betting, online casino, public online lottery and promotional competitions across its member states.
A licence from the old National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), or from the Abuja office, no longer supports operating outside Abuja, according to one law firm guide. An existing state licence does not turn into a URC. You must make a new application to the FSGRN secretariat.
The guides do not say what applies in states outside the 22 members. Ask each state regulator before you launch there. For a wider view of the split, read our explainer on who regulates betting in Nigeria.
The Lagos route in five stages
A May 2026 guide to the Lagos process sets out five stages:
- Set up the company, with its ownership structure, share capital, directors' national ID numbers and anti-money laundering registration.
- Prepare the application documents.
- Prepare the technical file: platform, hosting, data flow, gaming certification and partner details.
- Submit to the LSLGA and go through due diligence, which can include a presentation.
- Meet the approval conditions and pay the fees.
The regulator may first issue an Approval in Principle. The guide says you cannot start trading on that alone.
What you need to prepare
- Company papers and a tax clearance certificate.
- A Nigerian bank account and details of your registered and administrative office.
- Proof of minimum share capital. The Lagos guide gives ₦100 million.
- A bank guarantee or surety bond. The Lagos guide gives ₦100 million, while a second guide gives ₦50 million.
- A business plan with director profiles, brand, games, odds and marketing, plus management accounts, a year of bank statements and five-year projections.
- A technical file with an architecture diagram, hosting details, server and database specifications, and a test lab certificate from GLI or BMM.
If you supply software to operators, different rules apply. Our report on state licensing for iGaming suppliers covers them.
What it costs
The two guides we read do not agree, so treat every figure as unconfirmed until the regulator gives it to you in writing.
- Lagos route, May 2026 guide: application fee ₦5 million, licence fee ₦150 million after Approval in Principle, annual renewal ₦100 million, and a monthly gaming tax of 2.5% of sales.
- State regulators' framework, August 2026 guide: licence fee of ₦100 million a year for each category, and an 11% contribution on gross gaming revenue, both from the start of 2026. It also names an annual renewal fee of ₦50 million under Lagos-type rules.
The two sets of numbers do not match, and neither guide links to an official fee schedule. The August guide also says a waiver of 2025 licence fees for operators moving from NLRC and state licences has closed.
How long it takes
The Lagos guide says four to six weeks, but only if every document is in order and the regulator has no questions. The other guide gives three to six months. Plan for the longer figure.
What to watch next
Watch for an official fee schedule from the LSLGA and the FSGRN, for new states joining the 22 members, and for what the Abuja office does when its seven-day window for former NLRC licensees ends. We will update this guide when any of them publishes.
FAQ
Who issues an online casino licence in Nigeria?
A state regulator, the Abuja regulator for Abuja, or the FSGRN for its member states through a URC.
Is an old NLRC licence still valid?
The Abuja regulator says unexpired NLRC licences will be recognised and converted to Abuja licences. One guide says they no longer support operating outside Abuja.
How much does a Nigeria gambling licence cost?
Guides give figures from ₦100 million to ₦150 million a year for the licence, plus other fees. They do not agree, so confirm with the regulator.
Can one licence cover every state?
Not by itself. A URC covers the FSGRN member states. The guides do not say what applies elsewhere.
