Lagos strengthens gaming regulation, consumer protection — LSLGA boss

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to regulate Nigeria’s fast-growing gaming sector, with a focus on consumer protection, responsible gaming, and industry standardisation, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are, has said.

Are, who spoke during the Africa Gaming Expo 2026 in Lagos, said the agency’s mandate is centered on curbing abuse while safeguarding both operators and consumers within the ecosystem.

“The purpose of our agency is to regulate, to control abuse, and to protect consumers as well as protect the operators. So, we’re doing that very well. When it comes to consumers about responsible gaming, we prevent underage gambling. We also control addictive gambling, and thirdly, we also have to expose our people to the economic value of gaming, not just to be a consumer, but to be a producer of products and services in the sector,” he said.

He disclosed that the agency has also supported innovation within the industry by empowering local startups and software developers to create gaming products capable of competing on the global stage.

“In the past couple of years, we have helped local start-ups, local software engineers, to develop products and to also put their products on the world platform. Through the Lagos State Scientific Research Innovation Commission, we contribute to start-ups in the last three years, where Lagosians and Nigerians can apply for grants to develop products and services in the technology sector,” he said.

On data protection, Are stressed that the agency has taken proactive steps to ensure compliance before enforcing standards across the industry.

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“We practice what we preach. Before we can enforce on any operator concerning data protection, we also have to be in compliance. What we did is firstly to go and get certified. They came in, they examined our internal data protection information security system, and we were certified by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission that we’re in compliance. So, with that, we can enforce our operators,” he said.

He added that collaboration with key regulatory bodies has strengthened oversight and created a more unified framework for gaming regulation across Nigeria.

“The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria ensures we have a uniform standard and reciprocity enforcement. All of the regulators from each state of the federation, we really appreciate their contribution, collaboration, and partnership,” he said.

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