The National Lottery Act 2005 established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to oversee lottery operations and issue licences to operators. Nigerian consumers may only participate in lotteries conducted by NLRC-licensed providers, ensuring transparency and accountability in ticket sales (2).
In November 2024, Nigeria’s Supreme Court ruled that the National Lottery Act was unconstitutional, transferring regulatory authority from the federal NLRC to state governments. This landmark judgment clarified that each state now has exclusive power to regulate lotteries within its borders (1).
"In a landmark decision delivered on 22 November 2024, the Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 (‘NLA’), which established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (‘NLRC’) and granted it authority to regulate national lotteries in Nigeria."
Under current law, only individuals aged 18 and above may purchase lottery tickets, and doing so from any unlicensed operator is prohibited. Consumers should verify that their chosen lottery provider is listed on the NLRC’s approved operators list before buying tickets (2).
Since the ruling, states like Lagos have enacted their own lottery laws and set up regulatory bodies such as the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority. Ticket purchases are only legal where the state authority has granted licences to operators, and violations can attract fines or other penalties (1).
Source:
https://nlrc-gov.ng/guidelines/
https://chambers.com/articles/regulation-of-lotteries-in-nigeria-review-of-the-supreme-court-s-decision-and-its-implications
Last updated: 20-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
