Kogi State has clarified the division of regulatory responsibilities for pool betting, lottery and gaming businesses following concerns over enforcement and payment requirements among operators.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said it remains responsible for licensing, negotiating applicable rates and sealing non-compliant premises, while the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service monitors and reconciles payments.
The clarification followed a meeting with agents and representatives of the Pool Betters Association in Lokoja.
Kogi's existing regulatory framework sets separate fees for promoters, principal agents, agents and collectors. Under the state's 2024 Revenue Administration Law, pool betting promoters face a NGN 1m ($751) application fee and NGN 500,000 renewal fee, alongside a monthly gaming levy equivalent to 2% of total stakes. Agent application fees are set at NGN 5,000.
The enforcement push comes within a Nigerian regulatory environment that has shifted towards state-level control. In November 2024, the Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005, ruling that the National Assembly lacked constitutional authority to legislate on lottery and games of chance across Nigeria's states.
Federal legislative authority in this area was limited to the Federal Capital Territory.
The decision followed years of overlap between federal and state licensing systems. Subsequent legal analysis identified state governments as the relevant authorities for operators conducting gaming activities within their respective territories.
In Kogi, the latest compliance exercise identified agents unable to provide evidence of licensing or payment, while some premises were not displaying licences as required. The ministry also reported outdated promoter records, including contacts that were no longer active or reachable.
Permanent Secretary Sualihat Musa-Amana said the state does not intend to introduce additional levies or duplicate charges. The ministry plans to appoint a desk officer to work directly with the Pool Betters Association on compliance and payment matters.
The association has agreed to provide an updated list of active promoters, businesses and contact information, with further discussions between regulators and promoters expected.
In July, Enugu State also strengthened its state-level regulatory infrastructure by introducing a real-time licence verification portal covering gaming operators. The development similarly followed the wider shift towards state oversight of gambling following the Supreme Court judgment.
Kogi's 2024 revenue legislation also sets a 2% monthly levy on total stakes for lotto and online betting promoters, alongside separate application and renewal charges
