Cross River State Targets Unlicensed Online Gambling Operators

New Legislation Enables Technology Platform Cooperation

Director-General Michael Eja outlined the enforcement initiative during an October 8 Abuja briefing. Explaining that previous regulatory gaps prevented effective oversight of digital platforms lacking physical state presence. Governor Bassey Otu signed the Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law 2025 earlier this year, providing legal authority for technology platform cooperation.

“The main issue was enforcement against online operators lacking physical presence in the state. That changed with the passage of the Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law 2025, signed by Governor Bassey Otu earlier this year. The legislation provides the legal foundation for the agency to collaborate with tech giants like Google,” Eja stated. The agency can now request illicit content removal, advertisement blocking, and court action support against violators. Licensed operators will face reduced unregulated competition and gain permission to run targeted Google ads within the state starting October 15.

State Joins National Reciprocity Licensing Framework

Cross River joined the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria in May. Adopting a reciprocity licensing system allowing single permits for nationwide operations among 25 member states. Eja projects the framework will generate shared state revenue through 11% tax on gross gaming income and standardized annual fees of $68 000 per operator effective 2026. FSGRN offers fee waivers this year to encourage early adoption.

“Harmonising licences cuts costs for companies and boosts our internal revenue without raising taxes on residents. It funds local needs like schools and roads, real benefits for communities,” Eja explained. The agency plans regular audits and public advisories to guide operator compliance as Nigeria’s betting market develops state-level regulatory templates.