License Name
National Lottery Licence (Nigeria) / Lagos State Lottery Licence
National Lottery Licence (Nigeria) / Lagos State Lottery Licence
Nigeria / Lagos State, Nigeria
National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) / Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA)
Lotteries, sports betting, promotional competitions, online games, scratch cards, interactive/web-based games
Nigeria (NLRC), Lagos State local jurisdiction (LSLGA)
Good
Company must be incorporated in Nigeria under Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA)
₦100,000,000 (NLRC); ₦30,000,000 (LSLGA, higher—₦100,000,000—for foreign-owned/co. with foreign directors)
Local Nigerian directors/shareholders required under LSLGA; all directors and principal officers pass “fit and proper persons” test
Compliance with AML policies required for both NLRC and LSLGA licences
Evidence of annual returns filing required; compliance audits and ongoing reporting expected
Compliance audits imposed by LSLGA; NLRC requires regular filings
LSLGA sets technical standards; applicants must comply with LSLGA/NLRC software guidelines
Evidence of domain and office in Nigeria required; licensed operators may use state-approved payment systems
Administrative/operational office in Nigeria required for lottery operator
NLRC–domain with .ng required and registered to the operator
English
Nigerian Naira (NGN)
Thorough background checks ("fit and proper persons" assessment) for all directors and officers
NLRC–national scope; LSLGA–restricted to Lagos State; operators cannot use NLRC licence in states without reciprocal regime
Applicants must provide evidence of tax compliance for directors and key staff
Domain/office evidence and regulatory compliance required; explicit technical data storage requirements not publicly disclosed
Lagos/state licences not valid outside state; national licence does not substitute for state approval in all states
Contact details of successfully licensed applicants are published online (NLRC)
NLRC/LSLGA designates contact for inquiries
Profile and appointment of key compliance personnel required in application (NLRC)
LSLGA provides for open grievance and dispute resolution framework
Not specified publicly
Not specified publicly
NLRC–₦2,000,000 non-refundable application fee, ₦100,000,000 licence fee; LSLGA–specific cost for category (₦50,000,000 online sports betting/₦30,000,000 minimum paid-up capital for lottery)
NLRC licence valid for 10 years; Lagos online lottery licence for 5 years; annual renewal fees required for sports betting/other licences
Ongoing annual returns (NLRC), compliance and tax documentation (LSLGA)
Approval in principle (NLRC)–up to 90 days from issue to final documentation/license
Certificate of Incorporation, CAC documents, tax clearance, company and director profiles, business plan, and compliance records
Comprehensive business plan and proposal required (NLRC/LSLGA)
AML, KYC, responsible gaming and internal policies required
Demonstration and possible inspection by regulator; compliance with technical and responsible gaming standards (LSLGA)
Key personnel qualifications and industry experience required (NLRC)
Address of administrative/operational office in Nigeria (NLRC/LSLGA)
Not specified
Responsible gaming messaging and compliance with advertising standards (LSLGA)
Operators must implement responsible gaming practices (LSLGA)
Must be provided for (Lagos law/LSLGA)
Must prevent those under 18 from participating or serving as director
KYC/due diligence required for customer onboarding
Not specified in public documentation
Lotteries, sports betting, online games, scratch cards, promotional competitions, and interactive/web-based games
Not specified
Not specified
Online and emerging games regulated by LSLGA; technical standards for all platforms
Applicable for online/mobile regulated platforms under LSLGA
NLRC: Plot 640 Cadastral Zone B4 Shehu Musa Yar' Adua Way, Jabi District, Abuja, Nigeria; LSLGA: LSLGA House, 31 Oluwaleyimu Street, Ikeja, Lagos
https://nlrc-gov.ng/lottery-licence/
https://facebook.com/nlrcgovng
https://x.com/nlrcgovng
Licensing, Monitoring & Inspection, Legal/Compliance, Technical, Enforcement, Customer Care
What is National Lottery Licence (Nigeria) / Lagos State Lottery Licence?
The National Lottery Licence (Nigeria) authorizes lottery and gaming operations nationwide, issued by NLRC under the National Lottery Act; the Lagos State Lottery Licence covers lottery and gaming within Lagos State, including traditional and online operations, under LSLGA. Both require strict compliance with regulatory, legal and responsible gaming standards. Information on additional details can be found from the regulatory authorities.
Which jurisdiction issues National Lottery Licence (Nigeria) / Lagos State Lottery Licence?
The National Lottery Licence is issued by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) for federal/national operations. The Lagos State Lottery Licence is issued by Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) for operations within Lagos State.
What is the cost of obtaining National Lottery Licence (Nigeria) / Lagos State Lottery Licence?
For NLRC: ₦2,000,000 non-refundable application fee and ₦100,000,000 licence fee. For LSLGA licences: minimum ₦30,000,000 paid-up share capital, with licence fees (such as ₦50,000,000 for online sports betting) depending on gaming category.
What are the main requirements for National Lottery Licence (Nigeria) / Lagos State Lottery Licence?
Key requirements include Nigerian company incorporation, minimum share capital, local directors, compliance with AML and responsible gaming tasks, tax and compliance documentation, and a comprehensive business plan. Background checks on directors, administrative office in Nigeria, and technical compliance (including software and responsible gaming) are mandatory