Nigeria is famous for its unique cultural heritage, and gambling is no less important in it. This sphere began to develop rapidly long ago, and in the 20th century, it already experienced a string of events that led to success. In this text, we will talk more about the origins of gambling in the country, how the industry started, and where it has progressed. In addition, we will consider what laws contribute to the development of this business. Our team also describes future trends in the gambling sector and what should be improved in the system.
The Emergence of Gambling in Nigeria
Gambling has always been present in Nigeria, just in different forms. This type of hobby was meant to develop people socially, educationally, and spiritually, such as dice and prediction-based entertainment. In addition, ritual games were also part of certain ceremonies, weddings, or funerals. Some games also used special objects such as seeds, stones, wooden boards, or other naturally occurring things. Among the ancient games are Ayo, Nzugbo, Okonto, and Danko. These games combine not only skills but also social interaction, along with significant cultural significance.
The Influence of Colonisers
What Happened to the Industry After the Country Gained Independence?
Nigeria gained its independence in 1960, which marked the beginning of a new chapter for wagering. In 1965, there was a law on taxation on the net income of companies providing betting services, while the games themselves were not regulated.
Many years later, in 1990, the government introduced the Nigerian Criminal Code, which also applied to games of chance. The main provisions included the prohibition of such activities in public places like parks, streets, and many others, organising illegal gambling events, and unlicensed lotteries. Subsequently, this law led to a significant breakthrough in the industry, which we will discuss in more detail below.
How did Events Develop Further in Nigeria?
In 2005, there was a National Lottery Act, where Chapter 22 of the Criminal Code Act, adopted before the 21st century, divided gambling into legal and illegal. The list of legal activities includes lotteries, land-based casinos, and sports betting. However, illegal activities in the country consist of roulette, dice games, and unlicensed card deck games. It’s worth clarifying that this law does not mention online gambling, probably because this sphere wasn’t so developed at the time. Nevertheless, the document states that the minimum age for gambling is 18 years. In 2011, Nigeria also extended its anti-money laundering law, which is extremely crucial.
The Current Situation with Online Casinos
Future Trends
Final Thoughts
