The current debate in Nigeria about online and mobile regulation is happening at the same time as the rest of the world is trying to determine how to balance consumer protection, economic opportunity, and digital freedom.
This determination is especially important right now, given the growth of gaming apps, and mobile gaming overall, which enables 24-hour access to games, as long as a player has Internet access. Forecasts suggest continued growth of mobile gaming, with compound annual growth rates (CAGR) ranging from around 8% to over 10% through the late 2020s and into the 2030s.
The happenings in Nigeria, and globally, show where digital gaming, including the rise of apps, could be headed in the future. We will examine the Nigerian debates, uncover how they reflect global activity, and see what the international landscape means for digital gaming.
In Nigeria, a new Central Gaming Bill recently passed the Senate and is awaiting presidential assent. This signals an intent to create a single national framework for online and remote gaming after years of fragmented rules.
The move has been the subject of some controversy. Opponents, such as the Lagos State Attorney-General, feel that the Central Gaming Bill is just a different version of the National Lottery Act, which was nullified by the Supreme Court, in November, 2024.
Supporters of the Bill believe that it will establish a clear legal foundation that will help to create increased levels of investment, enable formal licensing, and move activity away from the offshore operators that are currently flourishing. Of course, the Bill will also produce many issues that must be resolved, such as who pays for enforcement, and what happens with often controversial features, such as loot boxes and elements of in-game gambling,
This latter issue is already being addressed in the United Kingdom (UK). The subject of loot boxes has attracted the focus of parliament. This focus has again been influenced to an extent by the increased use of gaming apps in the country. Revenue from these apps is expected to reach $17.7 billion in 2025.
Rather than establishing a blanket ban on what is regarded by some as a gambling element, the decision has been made to push the gaming industry itself to strengthen its standards. This strengthening includes an emphasis on age checks and advertising limits.
Transparency and ID checks, to confirm the age of players, are also part of the sweepstakes gaming model in the United States (US). Industry experts, such as JustGamblers, predict a strong future for the most reliable operators, including the development of high-performing apps within the sweepstakes model due to the emphasis on player protections and enhanced governance that allow sweepstakes to operate in a way that benefits operators while also ensuring the safety of the players.
These examples from the UK and US indicate an approach that relies on working with industry operators rather than imposing strict prohibition of some gaming activities, although areas such as age verification are regulated. In East Asia, a more precautionary approach is evident. Here, governments have imposed strict curbs aimed at youth protection, especially in the face of the increased popularity of gaming apps, particularly esports-focused brands like PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends.
For example, China limits playing time for minors and has a tight approval process for new game titles. This allows regulators to intervene if they are concerned about addiction, mental health, or social harm. The potential benefits of these interventions are twofold. They prevent certain types of unhelpful engagement, and may prompt developers to embrace safer monetisation methods.
As the global gaming market continues to evolve, with the expansion of esports, mobile monetisiation, and sweepstakes models, there will be a growing need for the consideration of how to monitor or regulate the industry. Careful consideration will be given to the undoubted economic impact of gaming, especially the expanding apps industry. However, this impact does not exist in a vacuum. As the industry expands, there is some concern about the potential damage exposure to gaming can cause.
These concerns are especially prevalent amongst those advocating for young people, who now have access to gaming via easily downloadable phone apps. They are pushing for consideration of the social-welfare arguments surrounding gaming overall, and want these arguments to be part of any legislative discussions.
For Nigeria, the global gaming picture offers practical lessons. The most effective regimes tend to mix clear licensing and taxation rules with strict age-verification and advertising limits. However, they are also flexible and work with the industry to secure buy-in. Working in this way seems to protect players while ensuring industry profitability and curtailing gaming operations that are not legitimate.
Overall, Nigeria’s current regulatory position is familiar globally, where authorities are forced to consider how to enable a booming digital industry while guarding against harm to players. The countries that strike that balance tend to be those that couple targeted rules with ongoing industry engagement and specific protections that can easily be measured and enforced.
