The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), working with the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN), has declared Stake.com an illegal gaming operator.
According to the regulators, the operator lacks a license from LSLGA or any FSGRN member state.
Stake has allegedly failed to register, declare or remit applicable monthly gaming taxes and levies despite receiving at least ten formal compliance notices over the past two years.
The regulation cited the Nigerian Supreme Court's ruling in Attorney General of Lagos State & Ors v Attorney General of the Federation & Ors, delivered on November 22, 2024, which affirmed the constitutional authority of individual states to regulate lotteries, betting and gaming.
The regulators said the ruling means that operators must obtain a state license to offer gaming services.
LSLGA and FSGRN said they are pursuing enforcement action against Stake, its directors and any payment companies, financial institutions, advertising platforms or influencers found to be facilitating its operations in Nigeria.
The regulators urged members of the public to stop wagering on Stake.com and to use only licensed operators. They called on banks, payment providers, fintech companies and media and advertising platforms to conduct due diligence and stop facilitating unlicensed gambling activities.
Stake has recently faced regulatory and legal scrutiny. In Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Stake and other sweepstakes casino operators in August, alleging their platforms constitute illegal online gambling under state law.
Separately, Argentinian Deputy Maximiliano Ferraro said in August that a website using his name without authorization had been configured to redirect traffic to Stake, an incident he tied to his role backing a stalled bill restricting gambling advertising in Argentina.
Stake stopped operating in Great Britain in March 2025 after the UK Gambling Commission opened an investigation into Stake-branded advertising
