Google Implements Nigeria Gambling Ad Ban After Court Ruling
Google has swiftly banned all online gambling advertisements in Nigeria, responding to a recent Supreme Court decision that shifted regulatory power to state assemblies.

Nigeria Gambling Ad Ban
Google has updated its advertising policies for Nigeria, effective immediately. The tech giant now prohibits the promotion of online gambling products and offers. This ban extends to various promotional materials, including vouchers, bonus codes, and educational resources. The restrictions also cover gambling-related information, such as tips, odds, and handicapping.
The change in Google’s policy follows a significant ruling by Nigeria’s Supreme Court last November. This decision invalidated the National Lottery Act 2005. The ruling transferred the authority to regulate lotteries and games of chance from the Federal Government to the House Assemblies of the States within the Federation. This shift in power has led to a restructuring of the gambling sector’s regulatory framework.
Long-Standing Conflicts Over Lottery Regulation
The governance of Nigeria’s gambling licenses has been a contentious issue since the introduction of the Lottery Act in 2005. States have frequently challenged the authority of federal regulators. The Assembly of Lagos, for instance, argued that “lottery” falls under residual matters, not under the federal government’s exclusive legislative list. This conflict led to Lagos seeking judicial clarification on the regulatory authority over lotteries.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the National Lottery Act now applies only to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). State assemblies, including Lagos, will now regulate lotteries within their own jurisdictions. This change marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape of Nigeria’s gambling industry, with states assuming greater control over their respective gambling markets.
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