NG Nigeria · Guide

Promotional raffles in Nigeria.

Since the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling, lotteries in Nigeria are a state matter. State regulators now issue a Promotional Raffle Licence that asks, among other things, how each draw can be verified.

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01 At a glance

The short version.

Regulation: A state matter since the Supreme Court ruling of 22 November 2024
Licence: Promotional Raffle Licence from the Federation of State Gaming Regulators
Covers: Ticket-based, purchase-linked, free-entry and hybrid promotional raffles
Verification: Applicants explain how draws can be verified and which third-party draw platforms they use
Across states: A reciprocity certificate, available since May 2025, lets one licence count across member states
Not covered: Standalone or continuous raffle businesses need a state licence instead

02 The models

How raffles run.

The licence depends on whether the raffle promotes a business or is the business.

Promotional raffles

Raffles run to promote a brand or product, whether ticket-based, purchase-linked, free to enter or a hybrid, under the Promotional Raffle Licence.

State-licensed raffle businesses

Standalone or continuous raffle operations fall outside the promotional licence and need a licence from the state regulator.

+ Know before you run

What operators need to know.

Lottery regulation moved to the states after the Supreme Court's November 2024 ruling.
The Promotional Raffle Licence application asks how the draw can be verified and which third-party draw platforms are used.
A reciprocity certificate lets a licence count across member states, which matters for national campaigns.
A proposed federal central gaming bill is contested by many states, so expect the framework to keep moving.

03 Questions

Common questions.

Who regulates raffles in Nigeria?

State gaming regulators, following the Supreme Court's November 2024 ruling that lotteries are a state matter.

What is the Promotional Raffle Licence?

A licence from the Federation of State Gaming Regulators covering promotional raffles, including ticket-based, purchase-linked, free-entry and hybrid formats.

Does one licence cover every state?

Since May 2025, a reciprocity certificate lets one licence count across member states.

Does the regulator care how winners are drawn?

Yes. The application asks how the draw can be verified and which third-party draw platforms are used.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Rules change and depend on exactly how a draw is run, so take advice for your own model. Reviewed September 2026.

04 Access

Running raffles in Nigeria? Talk to us.

Regulators ask how your draws can be verified. Every Blockdraws draw is sealed in advance and verifiable by anyone.

Blockdraws is white-label draw software with every draw verifiable by anyone. Available by application.

hello@blockdraws.com