FCT unveils own gaming regulator, gives operators 7-Day ultimatum

The Federal Capital Territory Lottery Regulatory Office (FCT-LRO) has commenced full operations as the regulator for all gaming activities within the FCT.

In a public notice issued on November 9, 2026, the office said its take-off follows the Supreme Court judgment in Attorney-General of Lagos State & 21 Others v. Attorney-General of the Federation & 15 Others.

It cited Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which gives the FCT a distinct constitutional status, with the National Assembly exercising powers ordinarily vested in a State House of Assembly.

By implication, all gaming operators doing business in the FCT must now comply with FCT licensing requirements and deal directly with the FCT-LRO.

On online gaming, the office said the Supreme Court did not give any one State exclusive control over the online market.

It said operators are free to choose which regulator to obtain their licence from, based on their business model, without intimidation or coercion from any State regulator.

It however stressed that operating online does not exempt any operator from licensing obligations where they apply.

All operators previously licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and operating in the FCT must now regularise with the FCT-LRO.

Valid, unexpired NLRC licences will be recognised and converted to FCT-LRO licences for the remainder of their validity. Affected operators must present their old licences for verification and complete regularisation within 7 days of the notice.

The office also released lists of currently recognised operators in the FCT across casino, sports betting, lotto and interactive gaming categories, and urged the public to verify operators before patronising them.