- Lagos Faults N/Assembly Over Central Gaming Bill
- Pedro warned that the consequences of enacting the Bill “would be grave
- The Bill aims to regulate gaming activities across all states and the FCT
Lagos State Government has faulted the National Assembly over the proposed Central Gaming Bill 2025, warning that its passage would violate the Nigerian Constitution and a subsisting Supreme Court judgment, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), described the move as “a voyage of unconstitutionality.”
EDITOR’S PICK
- Lagos Intensifies Campaign Against Online Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Schools
- ‘PDP Defections to APC Prove I Was Right About Tinubu’ – Wike
- Information Minister Hails Borno as Nigeria’s Most Resilient State
According to a report by the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, the Central Gaming Bill, 2025, was presented for concurrence during Senate plenary on October 7, 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a central regulatory framework for online and remote gaming, replacing the repealed National Lottery Act of 2005.
The Bill aims to regulate gaming activities across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but Lagos insists the National Assembly lacks constitutional authority to legislate on gaming outside the FCT.
Pedro recalled that in November 2024, the Supreme Court had nullified the National Lottery Act 2005, ruling that the National Assembly could only make laws relating to lottery and gaming in the FCT.
“As the Chief Law Officer of Lagos State, it is both my constitutional duty and responsibility to draw the nation’s attention to this voyage of unconstitutionality,” Pedro said.
“The National Assembly cannot directly overturn a Supreme Court judgment. Having not amended the Constitution to include lottery, gambling and gaming in the Exclusive Legislative List, this Bill directly conflicts with the Constitution and a binding Supreme Court ruling.
He cautioned that proceeding with the Bill would amount to “legislating in defiance of a binding Supreme Court decision, the highest expression of contempt of court.”
Pedro warned that the consequences of enacting the Bill “would be grave,” adding that the National Assembly can only legislate on gaming matters for the FCT, not the entire federation.
FURTHER READING
- Hong Kong Lawmakers Pass Landmark Bill to License Ride-Hailing Platforms
- Wike Justifies Supporting Tinubu as PDP Governors Defect to APC
- Kano Court Remands Orphanage Owner Over Abduction of 600 Children
Click here to watch video of the week
