If you place bets by USSD code, SMS shortcode or carrier billing from a Lagos phone, one date matters this week. The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) gave telecom companies 30 days to check the licences of the betting businesses they carry, and that window closes around now. Here is what the notice says, what it could mean for you, and a few checks you can do in minutes.

What the notice says

The LSLGA issued a public notice dated 12 October 2026. It is addressed to mobile network operators, value-added service (VAS) aggregators and VAS providers. It covers lottery, betting and gaming services delivered to customers in Lagos through USSD, SMS, short codes, mobile apps and carrier billing.

In plain terms, the telecom side has to do three things within 30 days:

• verify that each gaming business on its platform holds a valid licence or authorisation recognised by the Authority
• hand over transaction and revenue records for tax assessment
• stop onboarding unlicensed operators, and suspend existing services that can't be verified

The Authority said it would pursue enforcement after the 30-day period against operators and other entities found to be unlicensed or non-compliant. Counting from 12 October, the period runs out around 11 November. We covered the announcement when it came out in our news story on the telecom deadline.

What this could mean if you bet by phone

We don't know yet which operators or channels, if any, will be switched off, or when. What the notice does make clear is that a telecom or VAS company is now expected to check a betting operator's licence before carrying its service. A short code or USSD string is not a sign that an operator is licensed.

That creates a few practical risks for a player:

*** A channel you use could stop working.** If a USSD code, SMS shortcode or carrier billing route is suspended, you may not be able to deposit or place bets that way.

*** Your balance could be harder to reach.** If an unlicensed service is shut down, getting your money out may be slower or more difficult. Be careful about leaving large balances on any operator you haven't checked.

*** Scammers can use the news.** Messages claiming your account is “suspended” and asking for a payment, a PIN or a link are a known pattern whenever there is regulatory news. Don't act on them.

None of this is a reason to panic. It is a reason to check.

How to check your operator in five steps

1. Find the operator's legal name. Look at the terms and conditions or footer of its official website for the company name. The brand on the app may differ from the licensed company.
2. Search for that name on the LSLGA's official register. Use the regulator's own listing, not a screenshot someone sent you. Our guide on how to verify a licence yourself walks through it.
3. Check the licence type and the dates. Make sure the entry covers the kind of service you use (for example sports betting or online casino) and that the licence period hasn't ended.
4. Match your channel to the operator. Find the USSD code, shortcode or app on the operator's official website, not in a text message or a social media post. If the official site doesn't list it, treat the code as unverified.
5. Record what you find. Note the date you checked, and take a screenshot of the register entry. Registers are not always updated immediately, so a record of when you looked is useful if something changes.

What we have checked so far

On 23 October, we found that Goka, Bet9ja, BetKing and SportyBet, the four operators we cover, appear on the Lagos register for online sports betting and online casino. You can read the details in our register check.

BetKing is a special case. Its listed licence period ran to 24 October 2026, and when we checked again on 27 October the register still showed that period with no renewal. Registers aren't always updated straight away, so read our BetKing update for the latest and check the register yourself.

Those checks covered the operators' online sports betting and casino listings. They don't tell you whether a particular USSD code, shortcode or carrier billing route is authorised, so use step 4 above for that.

If you bet from outside Lagos

The notice applies to services offered to customers in Lagos State. Other states have their own gaming regulators and rules, and licensing in Nigeria is divided between state and federal bodies. If you're in the FCT, see our guide to checking whether a site is approved in the FCT. Wherever you are, check the register that applies to you.

Protect your money while this settles

*** Keep a small balance.** Withdraw winnings you don't plan to use soon. Our guide on what a pending withdrawal usually means covers what to check if one is held. *** Set a deposit limit.** Our guide on deposit limits and self-exclusion shows how. *** Keep your records.** Save deposit and withdrawal confirmations, your account details and screenshots of anything you're told. *** Never share your PIN, OTP or password.** A real operator or telecom company won't ask for them by SMS. *** Use only official channels** to contact the operator, taken from its official website or app.

Frequently asked questions

Does the notice mean betting by USSD or SMS is banned?

No. The notice is about licensing. Telecom and VAS companies are told to carry only gaming services that hold valid Lagos authorisation, and to suspend the ones that can't be verified. Licensed operators are not the target.

What happens after the 30 days?

The Authority said it would take enforcement steps against unlicensed or non-compliant operators and other entities. We don't know yet what that will look like in practice, so check the regulator's announcements and our news page.

Is a USSD code or shortcode proof that an operator is licensed?

No. Having a code doesn't prove a licence. The notice makes telecoms responsible for checking licences, which suggests that a code on its own tells you little.

I got a text saying my account is suspended and I must pay to reopen it.

What should I do?

Don't pay, click or reply. Contact the operator through the support details on its official website or app, and check your balance there directly.

Can I still withdraw if my operator's channel is suspended?

It depends on the operator and the channel. Withdrawals may be possible by another route, such as a bank transfer or the app. If you can't withdraw, contact support with your account details, the time in WAT and screenshots, and see our Player Help page for the next step.

Where can I check a licence?

On the LSLGA's official register. Search using the operator's legal company name, not the brand, and note the licence type and dates. Our licence guide explains the steps.

Does this apply to betting apps and websites too?

The notice covers mobile applications as well as USSD, SMS, short codes and carrier billing, when they are used to offer gaming to customers in Lagos.

How we know

*** Verified official information:** the details of the notice, including its 12 October 2026 date, the 30-day period and the channels covered, come from the LSLGA's public notice as published in the press (Nairametrics) and our own news story. *** Tested by Bettreview:** the register checks for Goka, Bet9ja, BetKing and SportyBet were done on 23 and 27 October 2026, as described in the stories linked above. *** Not confirmed:** which services will be suspended and when. We haven't confirmed any suspension, and we'll update this page if that changes.

If you spot something out of date, please see our corrections page.

For adults 18 and over. Betting can lose you money, and no tip or check changes that. Stake only what you can afford to lose and use the limits your account offers. If it has stopped being fun, read our responsible gambling page for support options. This article is general information and isn't financial or legal advice.