President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has reaffirmed his commitment to the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment on games of chance and lottery regulation falling within state legislative powers.
As a result, he formally rejected the country’s Central Gaming Bill during a speech at APC’s (All Progressive Congress political party) National Executive Committee Meeting on Friday.
Tinubu says he will never approve a central bill
During his speech, President Tinubu said he was not party to any central bill. He confirmed to members that if such a bill were put in front of him he would not sign it.
“What I want you to forget is a centralised lotto,” Tinubu said, advising those present to “go and read the constitution again”.
“That remains a residual matter where my exclusive legislative capacity as the president starts and ends — such residual matters belong exclusively to the state. Don’t tread near it. There’s no need for us to argue.”
He concluded his speech with: “I am a constitutional democrat. Lotteries, lottos, lotto laws, gaming — centralised or whatever it is you call it, I’m not going to sign such [a bill] into law. Thank you very much and have a good evening.”
Lagos state board lauds president’s stance
The November Supreme Court ruling brought an end to the federal government’s regulation of gambling and lottery, instead giving state legislative assemblies the power to govern gambling.
The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN), a coalition of the 24 state governments in Nigeria, supports the ruling. It has made multiple attempts to block the Central Gaming Bill from passing through the National Assembly, as it would reinstate similar laws to the previous federal-based framework.
Explaining its opposition, the federation has said the bill was nothing more than a repackaged version of the now-nullified National Lottery Act of 2005. In the federation’s view, both versions sought to establish federal control over games of chance through licensing, regulation and overall enforcement.
Nigeria has seen months of repeated efforts to pass the centralised bill, despite its seeming unconstitutionality. The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, on behalf of state regulators, praised the president for “delivering a final verdict to the matter”.
“Today, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has unequivocally reaffirmed that gaming and lottery regulation is a residual matter reserved for the states, in line with the constitution,” the LSLGA said on friday.
“With this clear presidential position, the matter is laid to rest. Nigeria’s federal structure remains respected and constitutional democracy upheld.”
Nigeria Central Gaming Bill moves through National Assembly
In November, the National Assembly again considered passing the Central Gaming Bill despite strong opposition. The Assembly’s actions were rebuked by several public interest bodies and legal advisory bodies.
Approached at that time, Obinna Akpuchkwu, gaming law expert at Allen & Marylebone, told iGB that the Assembly’s moves were not just “unconstitutional” but in his view were “unfounded”.
Akpuchkwu said, “The current attempt to enact the Central Gaming Bill into law will only be a wasted effort.” In his opinion, this finality has clearly been justified by Tinubu’s stance.
Christmas is typically one of the busiest periods of the year for Nigeria’s iGaming industry. As the industry gears up for the Yuletide activity, it is safe to say that one of the hottest topics this year has reached a lasting verdict.
Nigeria’s President has rejected the country’s Central Gaming Bill and refused to sign it if it passes in Congress.