Saudi Arabia is one of several Middle Eastern countries that have stubbornly refused to license online gambling.
Despite this, Arab players can visit an online casino in Saudi Arabia to fuel their passion for iconic games such as blackjack, roulette and slots.
However, the Saudi government cannot tax these operators, leading many people to question whether keeping the industry at bay is the right move.
Saudi Arabia’s relentless pursuit to become a global hub for tourism, entertainment, technology and digital innovation is no secret.
However, refusing to explore the vast possibilities that the gambling industry has to offer leaves them in the shadows of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The UAE legalised gambling in 2023. The move has prompted debate in Saudi Arabia about how different markets around the world have developed and what lessons they offer.
One of the most intriguing examples is Nigeria, which is home to one of the biggest online gambling markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.
While the two countries differ greatly in culture, regulation and consumer behaviour, Nigeria has built one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing online gambling markets.
Saudi Arabia could learn a lot from Nigeria’s experience to better understand what works, what doesn’t and how to manage a digital gaming ecosystem.
A Market Built Around Mobile Technology
Nigeria’s online gambling market has grown at a remarkable pace over the past decade. It’s dominated by sports betting, but there are also plenty of online casino lovers across the country.
According to industry experts, Nigeria’s online gambling revenue was around $3.86 billion in 2025, making it one of Africa’s biggest regulated markets.
Several factors have helped fuel that growth, but Nigeria’s huge population and smartphone penetration have undoubtedly played massive roles.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country with more than 236 million people. Nearly half of the population has access to the internet, and most of them use smartphones to connect online, making betting apps the natural choice for millions of users.
Saudi Arabia also has a population of highly connected citizens and increased smartphone penetration, and Nigeria is proof that those elements can fuel online gambling.
Nigeria also highlights the influence of the youthful demographic. The country is home to one of the youngest populations in the world. That demographic is generally more familiar with new technology, mobile payments and digital apps.
This has helped its online betting platforms grow quickly. Saudi Arabia has a similarly young and digitally connected population, which is why it has one of the biggest video gaming industries in the world.
Nigeria shows how quickly digital habits can help commercial growth with the right infrastructure in place. But it also shows why governments must put regulations in place before the industry becomes too large to regulate.
The Importance of Regulation & Consumer Protection
One of the key things Saudi Arabia can learn from Nigeria is the importance of establishing clear and well-organised rules from the outset.
Nigeria’s gambling industry was previously regulated by the federal government, but a Supreme Court ruling gave much of that responsibility to individual states in late 2024.
This meant gambling companies suddenly had to deal with different rules and licensing systems depending on which state they wanted to operate in.
While there was confusion at first, many established companies already held the necessary licences, so the industry continued to function without major disruption.
If Saudi Arabia were ever to introduce a regulated online casino market, having one consistent national system would make life easier for everyone.
Companies would know exactly what rules to follow, regulators could enforce those rules more effectively, and customers would have greater confidence in the industry.
It’s equally important to protect customers, and Saudi Arabia must make that a priority if they ever decide to go down that path.
Licensed operators in Nigeria are required to confirm the identity of their users, watch for suspicious financial activity, follow anti-money laundering laws, provide secure payment systems and offer tools that encourage responsible gambling.
There are also rules to prevent misleading advertising and stop vulnerable people from participating.
