Lagos Gives Betting Telecom Partners 30 Days to Hand Over Records

The October 12 public notice from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) covers mobile networks, VAS aggregators and providers involved in betting, lotteries or other gaming services. It applies to services reaching customers in Lagos through USSD, SMS, short codes, mobile apps, carrier billing and other telecom channels.

Four Tasks for Telecom Partners

The notice sets out the following four requirements:

1. Check with LSLGA whether each gaming operator using the platform holds a valid licence and has met gaming-tax obligations;
2. Supply transaction, carrier-billing and revenue-sharing records for services hosted during the arrears period;
3. Stop onboarding operators unable to show a licence or authorisation issued or recognised by LSLGA;
4. Suspend existing gaming services that lack that authorisation.

A Nigerian Communications Commission licence does not replace LSLGA authorisation for betting services carried over those networks.

Revenue Records Go Back to November 2024

The arrears provision reaches back to November 22, 2024, the date of a Nigerian Supreme Court ruling cited in the notice. LSLGA says gaming operators using telecom or VAS channels must account for outstanding gaming taxes, statutory levies and other payments over that period.

The authority plans to assess arrears using verified transaction and revenue figures. Penalties and interest may be added under existing law. It has not published a total for the amounts it expects to recover.

The telecom companies are being asked for the records; the demand to settle assessed gaming-tax arrears is addressed to the gaming operators. Those operators must also regularise their licensing status within the compliance period.

Two Betano Entries in the Licensing Register

A 15M check of LSLGA’s public licensing register found the trade name Betano under two companies. Crystal Gaming Limited has an entry ending July 22, 2026. A separate entry for Kaizen Gaming Limited runs from September 23, 2026 to September 22, 2027.

Both entries remain visible in the published register. This is not evidence that either company has facilitated unlicensed gambling through telecom channels. It does show why matching only a betting brand, without checking its legal entity and current authorisation with LSLGA, can leave unanswered questions.

A Different Deadline From July’s Six-Month Plan

In July, LSLGA announced a six-month transition for technical audits and certification of gaming platforms, B2B systems and payment gateways. Its October notice concerns licensing checks, past financial records and cutting off unauthorised gaming services within 30 days. The two deadlines cover different tasks.

The October notice does not name any gaming services facing suspension. Operators unable to demonstrate valid Lagos authorisation risk losing access to telecom and VAS channels, including USSD, SMS and carrier billing. After the 30-day period, LSLGA says it will issue statutory notices where it finds unlicensed operators or intermediaries still facilitating them.