Nigeria ranks best in West Africa for online gambling regulation, new report finds

Nigeria has been ranked as the most regulated online gambling market in West Africa, according to the first continent-wide assessment of the sector by Gaming Compliance International (GCI). The report, which covered all 54 African countries, found that Nigeria's unregulated market share stood at 56 percent, well below the West African average of 69 percent and the continent-wide average of 77 percent.

Africa's online gambling market hits $23 billion

Africa's total online gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached $23 billion in 2025. Licensed operators generated only $5.2 billion, representing 23 percent of the market, while unlicensed platforms accounted for the remaining $17.8 billion, or 77 percent. In West Africa, total online gambling revenue climbed to $4.8 billion in 2025, up from $4.3 billion the previous year. Regulated operators contributed $1.5 billion, or 31 percent, while $3.3 billion, equivalent to 69 percent, went to unlicensed platforms.

Nigeria's stronger enforcement stands out

Nigeria's unregulated market share of 56 percent was significantly lower than both regional and continental averages, pointing to stronger enforcement and licensing frameworks within the country. This comes despite Nigeria topping the list of African countries dominating sports betting in 2025, with over 168 million estimated bettors. Earlier, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed that more than 60 million Nigerians participate in gambling every day, collectively spending about $5.5 million daily.

Unlicensed platforms surge, tax losses mount

The GCI report also tracked participation figures, finding that the number of people gambling online across Africa grew from 198 million, about 13 percent of the population, in 2024 to 215 million, or 14 percent, in 2025. Alongside that growth, the number of unlicensed platforms targeting African consumers rose to 4,129 in 2025, up from 3,644 in 2024. GCI estimated that this illegal activity cost African governments roughly $3.55 billion in tax revenue during the year.

GCI Chief Executive Officer Matt Holt said the report gives regulators their first continent-wide benchmark for improving oversight and protecting consumers. GCI President Ismail Vali called on governments to build competitive, well-regulated markets that give consumers a reason to choose licensed operators, which would in turn boost public revenue and draw greater investment into the sector.

Calls to block betting apps and protect the naira

In a separate development, Reno Omokri urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to block access to all sports betting applications in the country. He also appealed to the government to withdraw the licenses of land-based betting companies, describing sports betting as a growing problem that is harming Nigerian youths. Omokri argued that the continuous flow of betting funds abroad, particularly to Russia, South Africa, and European nations, weakens the naira and prevents the currency from maintaining its value. For Nigerian consumers and businesses, the GCI report underscores that while regulation is improving, the scale of unlicensed activity still represents a major drain on the economy and a risk to the naira.