Central Gaming Bill Progresses in Senate

Bill Sponsor: Sen. Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi (Ekiti Central-Senate Leader).

Bill Progress: Concurrence

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the Central Gaming Bill, 2025 (HB. 2062) was offered for concurrence throughout Senate plenary. Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and consultant for Ekiti Central, performs a pivotal function because the invoice progresses within the Senate following its passage within the House of Representatives.

The invoice has been proposed in Nigeria with the intent to ascertain a complete regulatory framework for on-line and distant gaming, aiming to switch the beforehand repealed National Lottery Act of 2005.

One of the central provisions of the invoice is the repeal of the National Lottery Act No. 7 of 2005 and the National Lottery (Amendment) Act No. 6 of 2017. A key function of the invoice is the institution of a Central Gaming Commission, tasked with overseeing and regulating all types of on-line and distant gaming in Nigeria. This new fee would take over tasks from the now-defunct National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

The proposed laws seeks to control the operation and enterprise of on-line gaming throughout all states in Nigeria, together with a particular provision for actions within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The invoice would additionally empower the brand new fee to challenge licenses and permits to on-line gaming operators, in addition to certify gaming expertise and repair suppliers, together with these from overseas jurisdictions. Notably, it goals to ban sure fee strategies, together with cryptocurrencies and present playing cards, whereas recognizing the potential of blockchain expertise.

Proponents of the invoice argue that making a unified nationwide framework is important for streamlining the business, curbing unlawful operations, and enhancing nationwide income.