The recent Supreme Court judgment in the case of the Attorney General of Lagos State & Ors v. Attorney General of the Federation & Ors (SC/01/2008), has significantly altered the legal and regulatory framework governing lottery operations in Nigeria. The decision, which invalidated the National Lottery Act 2005, has raised pressing concerns about compliance, regulatory oversight, and the continued operation of lottery services, particularly within the telecommunications and Value-Added Services (VAS) sectors.


It is imperative that we critically examine the implications of this judgement, the challenges it poses for industry operators, and the pathways toward ensuring regulatory compliance and business continuity. The task is not just to understand the judgment but also to develop proactive solutions that will ensure stability and sustained growth in the lottery and telecommunications industries.

State of the regulatory regime before the Supreme Court judgement
In 2004, the Lagos State Government enacted the Lagos State Lotteries Law 2004. In 2007, the State Government also enacted the Casino and Gaming Regulatory Authority Law 2007, along with the Casino and Gaming Regulations 2008, the Pools and Betting Control Law 2003, and the Pools Betting Tax Law 2003. In 2008, the Lagos State Lotteries Law 2004 was amended by the Lagos State Lotteries (Amendment) Law 2008.

In 2021, the Lagos State Government enacted the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021. The long title of the 2021 Law describes it as:
“A law to establish the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, to harmonise all laws relating to gaming activities in Lagos State, provide for the regulation and control of all gaming activities, and for connected purposes.”

Section 107 of the 2021 Law expressly repealed the Lagos State Lotteries (Amendment) Law 2008, the Lagos State Lotteries Law 2004, the Casino and Gaming Regulatory Authority Law 2007, the Casino and Gaming Regulations 2008, the Pools Betting Control Law 2003, and the Pools Betting Tax Law 2003.


https://guardian.ng/opinion/columnists/nullification-of-national-lottery-act-2005-implications-for-operators/