The Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Commission (ESGC) has unveiled a real-time online verification portal for licensed gaming operators, as its Executive Secretary and CEO, Arinze Arum, reaffirmed the role of state regulators in Nigeria's gambling sector during the opening of the Enugu Gaming Conference (EGC) 2026.
Speaking at the conference, Arum said the new system enables regulators, operators, investors and members of the public to verify whether an operator holds a valid Enugu State gaming licence.
According to the Commission, the portal includes details such as licence categories, validity periods, approved operator domains, regulatory contact information, enforcement actions and a blacklist of unlicensed operators.
Arum described the platform as a step towards improving transparency and confidence in the state's regulatory framework, arguing that it demonstrates how state regulators can implement digital compliance tools while maintaining international standards.
A significant part of his address focused on Nigeria's regulatory structure, with Arum warning against what he described as the "quiet centralisation" of state gaming powers through proposals for greater regulatory harmonisation.
He maintained that gambling regulation falls within the constitutional authority of individual states and referenced previous Supreme Court rulings which, he said, had settled the issue.
The comments reflect an ongoing debate within Nigeria's gaming industry, where state and national authorities continue to define their respective regulatory responsibilities. Industry participants also face evolving compliance requirements, including anti-money laundering measures and licensing obligations, as the market continues to expand.
The event also follows a series of other developments across Nigeria's gaming landscape this year, including Lagos's enforcement of a 5% withholding tax on gaming winnings, the opening of IGSA's new regional office in Lagos and BC Game's licensed launch in the country.
Nigeria's gaming industry operates under a dual regulatory structure, with both state regulators and federal authorities playing roles in overseeing different aspects of the market
