Lagos High Court Confirms LSLGA’s Authority Over Betting Operators in Landmark Gaming Rulings
Nigeria’s gaming regulatory framework has been significantly reinforced following a series of landmark rulings by the Lagos High Court affirming the authority of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) over betting and gaming operators serving customers within Lagos State.
The judgments, delivered across June 2026, confirmed that all operators offering gambling services in Lagos must comply with the state’s licensing requirements, regardless of disputes over jurisdiction.
The cases involved Zegaming Nigeria Limited, Africa Betting Company Nigeria Limited and Mozzartbet Services Limited, all accused of operating without the licences mandated under the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021. The regulator maintained that the companies had failed to meet legal obligations, including licensing, regulatory compliance and the payment of gaming levies.
In the first ruling on June 2, Justice A. M. Ipaye found Zegaming Nigeria Limited guilty of operating without approval. With no defence presented, the court ruled in favour of the LSLGA, ordering the company to obtain a licence, settle outstanding fees, submit financial records and suspend operations until compliance is achieved.
On June 17, Justice Dr Basiru Oriyomi Olukolu delivered a second judgment against Africa Betting Company Nigeria Limited, reaffirming the Authority’s mandate to issue licences, oversee renewals and collect gaming levies. The court also upheld provisions of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (Amendment) Law 2024, reinforcing the regulator’s role in revenue collection and oversight.
The third and most contested case involved Mozzartbet Services Limited, which challenged the court’s jurisdiction and argued that its operations fell outside Lagos State’s regulatory scope. However, Justice Ipaye dismissed these claims, ruling that the company’s activities brought it within Lagos jurisdiction.
The court directed Mozzartbet to obtain the required licence, pay all outstanding fees and levies, submit financial records for review, halt operations until compliance is met and pay ₦500,000 in legal costs.
Collectively, the rulings represent a major legal victory for the LSLGA and a defining moment for Nigeria’s gaming industry. They establish a clear precedent that any operator targeting Lagos residents must adhere to state laws, regardless of physical location.
The decisions strengthen regulatory enforcement, reinforce compliance obligations and send a strong signal that non-compliant operators risk legal and financial consequences. They also mark a significant step toward a more structured, transparent and accountable gaming market in Nigeria.
