Nigeria is aligning with international standards, says Enugu state gaming regulator
On 16 September the FSGRN and Switzerland’s Gespa (Swiss Intercantonal Gambling Authority) reached an MOU that hinged on several key areas.
Members of the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) and the CEO of Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission Prince Arinze Arum lauded the steps taken to implement global best market practices across the country. Prominent among them is positioning Nigeria’s state regulators at the forefront of global gaming regulations.
Speaking to iGB on 13 November, Arinze notes the initiative would steer Nigeria’s iGaming operations in the right direction if well implemented. “This structured exchange of knowledge programme is indeed commendable and reflects the forward-thinking posture of the FSGRN,” he says.
“As a member of the association, the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission is fully aligned with the spirit and objectives of the collaboration with GESPA. We are, however, still awaiting the full details of the arrangement and how its outcomes will be domesticated across the various state commissions.
“That said,” he continues, “the concept itself is a strong signal that Nigeria’s regulators are serious about deepening global cooperation, improving regulatory capacity and embedding best practices in consumer protection and responsible gaming.
“This kind of partnership ultimately benefits operators, too, by creating a more credible, transparent and trustworthy environment for iGaming in Nigeria. I fully believe it is a step in the right direction, and one we look forward to seeing fully implemented.”
The current state of Nigeria’s iGaming regulations
When quizzed on whether he feels the regulations in Nigeria are closely mirroring global standards and the industry’s best practices today, Arinze agrees that progress is being made. Arum believes that, with time, other countries from around the continent could emulate them.
“I would say that Nigeria’s regulators have made significant progress in aligning with international standards,” he adds. “The last few years have seen a deliberate shift towards harmonisation, where regulatory frameworks have not only been consistent across states but have been benchmarked against the principles of integrity, fairness and player protection that define modern gaming oversight.”
Arum believes Enugu and Lagos have implemented policies which increasingly mirror those in mature jurisdictions such as the UK, Malta and other parts of Europe.
Putting things into a wider context, he says the state regulator’s focus is on robust licensing, digital transparency, responsible gaming frameworks and effective tax compliance.
“Given this trajectory, I believe other African markets will soon begin to emulate Nigeria’s approach. Our country is already becoming a reference point for structured gaming regulation in sub-Saharan Africa, showing that with the right policy leadership, local markets can achieve both investor confidence and consumer trust.”
Enugu state to boost foreign investor confidence
Arum says the commission is working around the clock to roll out and strengthen initiatives that will significantly improve market standards and boost investment confidence in and around the state.
“At the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission we are prioritising reforms that make our market more transparent, investor-friendly and socially responsible,” he said before going on to explain these initiatives.
The first initiative is to strengthen regulatory technology infrastructure to ensure real-time monitoring of operators’ activities. This will help improve compliance and enhance data integrity and consumer protection.
Second is a responsible gaming and legal education framework that engages agents, operators and players. The aim is to make gaming literacy a shared responsibility, “because a well-informed market is a safer market”, Arum says.
An additional project with the state government is seeking to create an investment facilitation window, which will streamline approvals and reduce bureaucratic friction for legitimate investors who want to establish themselves in Enugu.
These initiatives will be designed to position Enugu as one of the most progressive, transparent and technology-driven gaming jurisdictions in Nigeria.
Can a centralised regulatory framework work in Africa?
Many recent conferences in Africa have revolved around the continent centralising gaming regulations. This move would allow operators licensed within a specific regulatory framework to do business around the continent with fewer hitches.
Arinze feels it is a progressive idea but, in a practical sense, different cultural perceptions of gaming as well as varied legal systems make it a difficult thing to implement.
“You see, in principle, regional harmonisation is an attractive idea. It speaks to efficiency, integration and the growth of Africa’s gaming economy,” Arum notes.
“However, in practical terms, achieving a single cross-border regulatory framework for gaming in Africa is a much more complex proposition. Each country currently operates under distinct legal systems, taxation models and cultural perceptions of gaming. These differences shape how each regulator defines responsible gaming, determines suitability criteria and enforces compliance.”
The idea of an operator licensed in Nigeria seamlessly being able to operate in Ghana sounds progressive. However, it would require a deep level of policy coordination, mutual recognition of standards, and political will across jurisdictions. Arinze recognises some of the necessary elements for this are not yet fully in place.
“I believe that gradual collaboration is the way forward,” he concludes. “We can start with bilateral or sub-regional agreements on information sharing, AML compliance and responsible gaming standards. Over time, these can build the foundation for broader harmonisation.
“While I’m optimistic about greater regional cooperation, I would say that full cross-border operational harmonisation will remain an aspiration which won’t be achieved overnight.”