Bet9ja. Winners Golden Bet. Nairabet. Merrybet. Surebet247. 1960bet.
These are some of the popular betting houses in Nigeria, and some of you may have played a couple of times, or are regular patrons. But have you ever wondered about the legality of your actions, and if you are running foul of the law. Let’s start with what the Constitution says is unlawful gaming.
What is Unlawful Gaming?
In Nigeria, unlawful gaming constitutes
- Roulette
- Every game of dice and cards except backgammon and card games of skill
- Chacha
- Games of cowries and any game whose chances are not equally favourable to all involved
The Gaming Machines (Prohibition) Act of 1977 declares that:
The ownership and operation of gaming machines is illegal, and if caught and convicted, the penalty is one year imprisonment without the option of fine. In addition, all such gaming machines along with proceeds of the operation will be forfeited to the Federal Government.
A gaming machine is defined as any mechanical gaming or gambling device operated by any person with a view to obtaining monetary reward upon insertion of a coin or token.
Chapter 22, Section 236, Subsection 1 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act defines a gaming house as any property where unlawful gaming is carried out and penalises anyone who owns, occupies, manages or permits the use of said property as guilty and liable to a fine of a thousand naira or imprisonment for two years, or both.
So, What is Lawful Gaming?
1. Licensed Pool Betting
Section 239, Subsection 3 approves of licensed pool betting but only if no part of the process gives anyone an unfair advantage over another. By definition, this also includes other forms of betting.
But operators MUST register with the government for it to be legal.
The Law requires that operators of pool houses use a totalisator also known as a pari-mutuel machine to register bets and divide the total amount bet among those who win.
2. Lottery
Section 240 defines Lottery to include any game where money or its equivalent is allotted depending upon, or determined by chance or lot. Lottery ticket includes any paper, ticket, or any other article which entitles a person to receive money or its equivalent, and a public lottery is a lottery which the public has access to.
In spite of the Prohibition Act of 1977, the federal government has licensed only three land-based casinos:
- The Federal Palace Casino in Lagos which boasts of 130 coinless slot machines. The casino also has 10 table casino games, ranging from American Roulette, Blackjack and Casino Hold’em.
- Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos also has its own casino that boasts 17 table and card games including Blackjack, Poker and Roulette.
- Transcorp Hilton in Abuja is Nigeria’s third casino. The casino’s gaming floor has over 40 gaming machines, and 9 table (roulette, blackjack) and poker games.
Aside from these three, any other gaming house within the boundary of Nigeria whose activities contravene existing laws remain illegal.
I hope this helps you with all the information you need about betting, gambling, or whatever popular street name it is known by.
See Also: As A Nigerian Teenager, What are Your Rights?
4 thoughts on “Do You Even Know What the Nigerian Law Says About Betting?”
This Article is relevant but a little misleading especially as this was published in 2016!
As an aside, Lotteries and betting operate two types of mechanics and should never be referred to as the same thing as your opening sentence suggests.
Furthermore, Gambling and Betting are two separate things. Just the same way murder and death penalty are two different things. In the case of the two scenarios, the former is illegal whilst the latter is legal and permitted by law.
Whilst trying to provide information, you allowed your bias of a sport or hobby (regardless of how dangerous or irresponsible you may view it to be) to cloud your article – your last line shows this clearly.
The law regulates us all including our actions and what makes writing an article and posting it online legal, is that the LAW permits it.
Information and Education should offer a broad spectrum to readers to enable them make informed decisions.
There are currently at least three licensed casinos that offer the roulette and slot machines in Nigeria. The gaming Act, therefore, prohibits only unlicensed gambling machines. The same applies to the licensed online casinos and sports betting websites.
The federal and state Governments of Nigeria also have Lottery Boards that regulates Lottery separate from betting. This is because the lottery is solely chance and requires no effort, whilst gambling may require some skill in the case of Poker and other table
games.
N.B: I am not into any of these sports but whilst conducting some research I came across this website and thought it was necessary to clarify some of your comments.
All the best!
Thank you for your incisive report. Those parts of the constitution were highlighted so individuals could crosscheck the facts themselves, and if there was any bias, I doubt these would be included for the sake of veracity. Thank you for helping to point out the fine details between gambling and lottery, which will be duly noted. Could you, if possible, provide us with links to amendments to the constitution that allow for operation of the games you mentioned, and we would gladly update them.
Thanks for this helpful post. I wished most Nigerian youths can read this before going for football bet.
Well, it must be said that the Nigerian Constitution permits the activities of sports betting provided they are conducted within the boundaries set out by law. Do have a good one Michael.