Judges Back LSLGA Authority in Oversight of Gaming Operators in Lagos
The Lagos High Court has handed the state regulator a decisive win, confirming that the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has the right to oversee betting firms serving customers in the state.
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The judgments came in suits brought against Zegaming Nigeria Limited, Africa Betting Company Nigeria Limited, and Mozzartbet Services Limited, all accused of running services without licences issued under the 2021 law.
The Authority argued that operators must hold valid licences before offering betting or gaming products in Lagos, citing Sections 33 and 86(1) of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law and Regulation 2 of the Online and Retail Gaming Regulations 2021.
It also asked the court to affirm its powers to assess licence fees, gaming levies, and the Good Causes Levy, and to inspect financial records under Sections 18(f) and 32(2).
Mozzartbet pushed for a preliminary objection but ultimately lost out
Mozzartbet Services Limited chose to fight back, unlike the other operators. It filed a preliminary objection, insisting that it had no business in Lagos and therefore could not be bound by the state’s gaming laws.
The company challenged the Lagos High Court’s territorial and subject matter jurisdiction, and questioned whether the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021 could apply to its operations at all.
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The court dismissed those arguments, ruling that Mozzartbet’s services were accessible to Lagos residents and therefore fell under the Authority’s oversight.
In addition to rejecting the objection, the judges ordered Mozzartbet to obtain a Lagos licence, pay outstanding fees and levies, submit its financial records, cease operations until it complied with the law, and pay ₦500,000 in costs.
Zegaming never showed up in courts
Earlier in the month, Zegaming Nigeria Limited and Africa Betting Company Nigeria Limited had already lost similar battles.
Zegaming failed to appear or file a defence, and Justice A. M. Ipaye ordered the company to register, settle outstanding fees and levies, submit financial records, and halt operations until it complied.
Days later, Justice Dr Basiru Oriyomi Olukolu reached the same conclusion against Africa Betting Company, citing provisions in both the 2021 law and the 2024 amendment that vest licensing and levy collection powers in the Authority.
Source: iGaming AFRIKA
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