Securing a sports betting permit in Nigeria requires navigating a structured, three-phase process overseen by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC). From pre-incorporation approvals to application, provisional grant, and post-licensing compliance, operators must meet stringent financial, technical, and organisational criteria. Core costs include a ₦2 million non-refundable application fee, a ₦75 million five-year permit fee, and a ₦25 million bank guarantee. The NLRC reviews complete applications within 21 business days, grants a 90-day provisional approval for meeting further conditions, and issues a full five-year license upon satisfaction of all requirements. Ongoing obligations include remitting 3 % of monthly turnover and submitting regular reports. Below is a step-by-step guide.
Introduction
The National Lottery Regulatory Commission, established under the National Lottery Act of 2005, is Nigeria’s sole federal regulator for lotteries and sports betting. Its mandate ensures fairness, consumer protection, and revenue remittance to the National Lottery Trust Fund. Prospective operators must align with NLRC’s statutory requirements to conduct sports betting nationwide.
1. Pre-Incorporation Approvals
1.1 Incorporation Intent
Before formal application, promoters must secure pre-incorporation clearance by submitting:
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A letter stating the intent to form a betting company
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CAC name reservation approval
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A ₦10,000 pre-incorporation fee via Remita
Upon NLRC’s nod, the company can be registered with objectives to operate sports betting.
2. Application Submission
2.1 Core Documents
Submit the following to NLRC’s Abuja office:
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Completed application form (available on NLRC’s website)
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Application letter stating scope and channels of operation
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Non-refundable fee: ₦2 000 000 payable via Remita
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Incorporation documents: CAC certificate, MEMART (Forms CAC2 & CAC7 or Status report)
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Minimum share capital: ₦30 000 000
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Annual returns: Evidence of CAC filings
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Domain & trademark: “.ng” domain registration and Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment trademark certificate
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AML compliance: SCUML registration certificate
2.2 Organisational & Technical Submissions
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Corporate profiles: IDs and CVs of directors and key officers
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Operational plan: Retail, web-based, SMS, mobile app strategies; bet types; T&Cs
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Technical architecture: Server hosting, security protocols, software certifications, SLAs
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Financial projections: Five-year P&L, audited statements for two years, funding sources
Review timeline: NLRC completes initial vetting within 21 business days and may call for a presentation.
3. Provisional Approval
Upon favourable review and presentation, NLRC issues a 90-day “approval-in-principle” subject to:
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Permit fee | ₦75 000 000 valid for five years |
| Bank guarantee | ₦25 000 000 (≥ 1-year validity) |
| Trademark evidence | Federal MTI confirmation |
| Site inspection | Audit of offices and data centres |
| Monitoring integration | Connection to NLRC reporting platform |
| AML & NIPC compliance | SCUML and foreign investment certificates |
Failure to fulfil any condition within 90 days nullifies provisional approval.
4. Final License Issuance
Once all provisional conditions are met, NLRC issues the full Sports Betting Permit, valid for five years from the issuance date .
5. Post-Licensing Obligations
| Obligation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Turnover remittance | 3 % of gross monthly turnover (1 % NLRC + 2 % NLTF), due by the 10th of each month |
| Monthly reports | Standardised operational & compliance reports by 10th |
| Quarterly audits | System and financial audits every quarter |
| Stakeholder sessions | Quarterly interactive meetings with NLRC officers |
Non-compliance may incur fines, suspension, or license revocation.
6. Common Misconceptions
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“CAC registration is enough.” Incorporation alone doesn’t grant betting rights—NLRC’s permit is mandatory.
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“Fees are negotiable.” NLRC fees are statutory and non-refundable.
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“License covers state law.” Federal permit is only for nationwide operations; state licenses may still be required for physical outlets.
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“No further payments after grant.” Monthly turnover levies and renewals are ongoing obligations .
By rigorously adhering to NLRC’s guidelines—backed by statutory fees, technical prerequisites, and compliance regimes—operators can efficiently secure and sustain a Sports Betting License in Nigeria.
