In 2021, there were
an estimated 81 million smartphone users in Nigeria. We use our handsets not just for communication, but also to conduct business, to perform household tasks and, not least, to have fun. Games are, by some margin, the most popular category of app for download, and while titles like Fortnite and Hearthstone have their following among younger smartphone users, most adults prefer more adult-oriented games.
Casino gaming in Nigeria Long before the internet or smartphones, casinos were like adventure playgrounds for sophisticated adults. The way they are represented in movies like Casino Royale and Ocean’s Eleven only adds to their allure. Also, it’s hard to argue against the attraction of a night out playing games in luxurious surroundings – especially when you factor in the possibility, however slim, that you might hit the jackpot and walk away with some winnings!
However, there are few land-based casinos in Nigeria, and even these are small operations in luxury hotels that cater mostly to wealthy overseas visitors. The arrival of online casinos made casino gaming accessible to the masses, especially when they launched their mobile apps that can be played from any iOS or Android smartphone.
The legal status of online casinos in Nigeria Like many countries, Nigeria’s regulatory system has struggled to keep pace with technological advances where gambling is concerned. The rules for gambling in land-based facilities are clear about what is permitted and what is not. Gambling online, however, was, for many years a grey area.
As the law stands, operators are legally prohibited from offering online casino services to players in Nigeria. However, all this means is that if someone in Nigeria plays at an online casino, the casino could find itself in hot water. The law does not apply to the players, so they are not breaking any rules by visiting an online casino that is domiciled overseas and playing real money games.
The Canadian comparison This same situation has arisen in various other countries, but Canada is an example worthy of examination. For years, Canadians wanting to know
how to gamble online could try out dozens of sites specifically aimed at the Canada market. However, these were all based offshore, as Canada had broadly similar rules to Nigeria.
The events of 2020 saw Canadians going online to gamble in record numbers, and the sight of all those millions of potential tax dollars disappearing overseas prompted regulators in Ontario and Nova Scotia to take action. Both have now
launched systems for online casinos to get licensed to operate within their boundaries.
Will Nigeria legalize Legal wheels are slow to move, and for now, Nigerian regulators are focussing on making it harder to use offshore gambling sites by working with banks to block transactions to and from gambling businesses. However, where there is a will, there is a way, and already, casinos are encouraging the use of digital payment systems instead of conventional bank transfers. Ultimately, regulation is more practical than prohibition, and it is surely only a question of when, not if, it will happen.
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