Lagos gives telecoms 30 days to stop carrying unlicensed betting on USSD, SMS and apps

The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has told mobile network operators, telecom companies and value-added service (VAS) providers to stop carrying betting and gaming services that don't have Lagos approval. ThisDay reported the directive on 15 October. The public notice itself appeared on 12 October.

What the notice asks for

Within 30 days, telecom operators and VAS providers must:

• verify the licence and gaming tax status of every betting or gaming operator on their platforms
• hand over transaction, carrier-billing and revenue-share records
• stop onboarding operators that aren't licensed or recognised by the LSLGA
• suspend existing gaming services that don't have the required approval

The notice covers betting offered through USSD, SMS, short codes, mobile apps and carrier billing. It says a licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission covers telecom services, not gaming.

It also asks for gaming taxes and levies going back to 22 November 2024, the date of the Supreme Court judgment that placed lotteries and games of chance with the states. After the 30 days, the LSLGA says it will issue statutory notices and enforce.

If the 30 days run from 12 October, the deadline falls around 11 November. Neither source gives a fixed calendar date.

What it means if you bet in Lagos

Most people won't notice anything. If you use a USSD code, SMS shortcode or airtime billing to bet with an operator that isn't licensed in Lagos, that service could be suspended on your network.

Before you deposit, check the operator's licence on its own website and against the LSLGA's published list of licensed operators. Our operator profiles show which licences each operator lists. Be wary of anyone who contacts you offering a "new" USSD code or a link to keep betting after a service stops. That's a common route for scams. Use only the codes and links shown on the operator's official website, and never share your PIN or one-time code.

If you have money in an account on a service that gets suspended, keep records of your balance and transactions and contact the operator through the support channel on its official website.