Nigeria is Africa’s largest country in terms of population and it is slowly becoming a global powerhouse in iGaming. The country is home to different world-class iGaming platforms and it’s safe to say 2026 is shaping up to be a year of adjustment for local bettors.
We at Efirbet.com are aware that sports betting has experienced rapid growth in the country over the last decade. People now have access to many more options than before, but a few legal and regulatory shifts could alter the way people play. There was a big court decision in late 2024 related to the gambling regulations, and 2025 was the year when everyone was trying to adapt.
2026 is the year when we expect these changes to become more visible to everyday bettors. This will be the year when locals have to understand how betting works and which platforms are properly licensed. These are important aspects that we want to share more about, so let’s begin.
The Court Decision That Changed the Rulebook – What Happened?
To understand why 2026 will be important for Nigerian bettors, you must take a step back to two years ago. Before that decisive court ruling, people thought that the betting and lottery regulations were anchored at the federal level. It appears that the Supreme Court of Nigeria did not agree, as evidenced by its landmark ruling in November 2024.
According to the court, the federal framework that used to apply to betting and lotteries was no longer the one that sites should follow. Instead, the states affirmed their rules as the primary regulators of gaming activities within their own borders. This made it feel similar to the situation in South Africa and other African countries.
As expected, 2025 was a bit chaotic. Online betting platforms were attempting to adjust to the new changes and comply with the regulations. Most players did not have that many issues, but others had to deal with tons of problems. Sadly, we believe that these problems will become apparent in 2026 and users will need to find ways to address them.
The changes in the legislation mean that regulation is no longer treated as “one-size-fits-all”. Every state in Nigeria will have its own rules that sites need to follow. Needless to say, players have to get used to that.
Nigeria’s Online Betting Scene in 2026
Among the things online bettors in Nigeria should be aware of is that 2026 will be the year when states will start to coordinate. One of the ideas behind these coordinations, in our opinion, will be to enforce rules more effectively. Keep in mind that Nigeria does not have a single unified betting code as of yet, but we think this may change. Having shared standards in areas like licensing, compliance and overall consumer protection is definitely a step in the right direction.
But what does this even mean for online bettors? Well, if you are someone who simply wants to punt on what you like, the coordination means there will be fewer regulatory loopholes. There will always be sites operating in the grey areas, but stronger regulatory enforcement should make you feel more comfortable when choosing a site. You will no longer have to question whether an online bookie is licensed. You also do not have to worry about a potential restriction that will cause you to lose your funds.
On top of all that, bettors should have access to clearer Terms and Conditions. We also would not be surprised if there are additional responsible gambling features and options. Everyone familiar with the online betting industry in other regions like Europe and the US knows that responsible gambling is huge right now.
What we Could See in 2026 – New Taxes
Generally speaking, taxes are something that targets the online betting operators themselves, not players. This is also the case in Nigeria, but considering the changes underway, 2026 may be the year when we start to notice the effects for online bettors.
Authorities in Nigeria discussed the new state-aligned levies among other topics. Some people proposed to have an 11% flat tax on Gross Gaming Revenue for operators and this would come as an addition to the higher annual licensing fees.
These changes should not affect bettors directly because they are not related to their winnings. However, since bookmakers will have to pay more money, we would not be surprised if they adjust their products in response.
- Stricter wagering requirements
- Not that many bonuses
- Less competitive odds
- Tighter limits on maximum payouts
What’s important to note is that these changes are not unique to Nigeria. What’s different here, however, is that each state can implement ot interpret these levies differently. As a result, people in some parts of the country can have worse odds than others.
Could we Also See a Central Gaming Bill in 2026?
Despite the Nigerian Supreme Court’s clear ruling, Nigerian politicians continue to pursue the establishment of a Central Gaming Bill. They believe that the new rules will create a stronger federal framework for regulating gaming activities and it is for the better.
Needless to say, this bill has faced strong resistance from state governments and regulators. According to them, the Central Gaming Bill goes against the 2024 Supreme Court ruling, and it undermines the decision. It seems like these people have a point because we have not seen the new bill in action yet. However, this could change later in 2026.
The good news for those who prefer state-led regulation is that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Nigerian politician, has distanced the executive branch from the bill. He sent a signal that the potential Central Gambling Bill does not align with the current constitutional direction.
Despite that, most bettors in Nigeria agree that this uncertainty can have bad effects on them. Betting platforms can decide to update their Terms and Conditions more frequently as they will prepare for different regulatory outcomes. It is also possible to see some sites exiting in certain states and there might be new compliance prompts.
Closing Thoughts -What Smart Bettors Should Do in 2026?
We believe that 2026 will be the year when awareness and caution matter more than ever. The current legal landscape when it comes to iGaming is not as certain as some people want it to be. The state governments take a stronger role in regulation, so bettors should expect tighter verification, possible state-based access limits and noticeable changes in bonuses and odds. We will have to wait and see what’s going to happen.
