Lottery in Nigeria
Lottery in Nigeria means mostly 5/90 draw games, where five numbers are drawn from 1 to 90, sold through agents' kiosks, apps and websites. Since the Supreme Court's November 2024 ruling, lotteries are licensed by the states, not by the federal regulator, except in the Federal Capital Territory. Before you stake a naira, check two things: which state body licenses your lotto company, and how the game you are playing pays.
How to Play Lottery in Nigeria: Licences, NIN and Tax
Nigeria's lotteries now answer to state regulators. Check your operator's licence, keep your NIN ready, and expect Lagos to hold back 5% of winnings.
Lottery Companies in Nigeria: Who Licenses Them After 2024
The Supreme Court moved lottery licensing to the states in November 2024. Who can legally run a lotto now, and what a valid Lagos licence covers.
Online Lottery in Nigeria: Who Licenses It and How to Check
Lottery licensing moved to the states in 2024. How to read the Lagos register, spot a lapsed licence and avoid operators on the unlicensed list.
Who licenses lottery companies in Nigeria?
The National Lottery Regulatory Commission used to license national lotteries. After the ruling, its remit covers the FCT, and each state licenses lotteries within its own borders. In Lagos that is the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority. A lotto company with an old federal licence and no state licence is on shaky ground in a state that insists on its own. Our report on lottery companies in Nigeria sets out who can legally run a lotto now and what a valid licence covers.
How does a 5/90 game work?
Five numbers are drawn from 90. You choose how many numbers to play and how to combine them:
- Direct (NAP) tickets. You pick a set of numbers, and all of them must be among the five drawn. Pick two and the chance is 1 in about 400. Pick three and it falls to about 1 in 11,748.
- Perm tickets. You pick more numbers than the ticket needs, and the ticket covers every combination. Each combination is a separate stake, so the cost adds up fast.
- Against and banker tickets. You fix one number, or one group, against others, and win on the combinations that land.
The payout for each ticket type is set by the operator as a multiple of the stake, and it is always smaller than the true odds. That gap is the operator's margin. Our report on how to play lottery in Nigeria explains the ticket types, the paperwork and tax on winnings.
Is online lottery legal in Nigeria?
Yes, when the operator holds a valid licence from the state regulator that covers you. Regulators publish lists of licensed operators, and some publish lists of unlicensed ones too. A licence can lapse, so check the register, not just the logo on the site. Our report on online lottery in Nigeria shows how to read the Lagos register.
What should I have ready to claim a win?
Your ticket or account record, and valid identification. Operators may ask for ID such as your NIN before paying a large win, and some states take a share of winnings at source.
How Nigeria Casino covers lottery
Reports start from the court judgment, regulator registers and the operators' published game rules. Start with how to play, then the licensing reports.