Themed “Diversification — Exploring New Opportunities, Products, and Partnerships,” experts challenged the sector to evolve from regulatory confusion to accountability, from imported systems to homegrown solutions.

Speaking on the conference’s impact, Prince Arinze Arum, executive secretary/CEO, Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission, who hosted the Conference, said, “Beyond gaming as a specific industry, we’re looking at innovation in game development. That’s where there’s a handshake between gaming and tech,” he said.

“When you have a lot of young people come together with the enablement provided by the government, they can innovate… and create games that are relatable. We’re structuring the industry. We’re simplifying licensing regimes and tax frameworks. Enugu is secure, peaceful, business-friendly, and open for business.”

Founder of iGaming WriteNow, Dr Kolade Abisoye’s keynote, “Shaping Nigeria’s Gaming Future,” expatiated that dashboards, not just policies, are the next frontier.

“Over 60 million Nigerians engage in gaming yearly with a revenue of about ₦730 million, but a lot of money has been lost due to unresolved disputes and unregulated platforms, and this is a national concern that requires budget actions,” he stated.

He called for real-time tracking tools for tax compliance and licensing, criticising vague regulations that only serve to confuse operators and defraud players.

“The 2024 Supreme Court ruling gave states autonomy over gaming. Yet here we are, debating the central gaming bill like it’s post-#EndSARS déjà vu — replacing SARS with SWAT. That’s what the FSGrA feels the federal bill is trying to do.”

Legal Panel: States Must Act as a Unified Bloc

A panel led by Kenneth Nwankwo, head of Operations, Premier Lotto (Baba Ijebu) examined the Supreme Court ruling’s implications. With 37 regulators now across Nigeria, coordination is highly necessary.

“The Supreme Court ruled that anything not in the Exclusive or Concurrent List is residual, and therefore under state control. Gaming is residual.”

The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGrA) is working toward a harmonised framework. But there are still gaps. “Yes, the judgment clarified the law, but implementation is murky. A small operator advertising online might be seen as operating in a state where they have no licence.”

Operator’s Perspective: Transparency Must Work Both Ways

Edward Oluigbo, CEO of Superior Games called for data-backed accountability: “Both hands must wash each other. One hand can’t wash itself. Regulators and operators must build mutual trust.”

He encouraged regulators to demand accountability and publish data that shows how revenues from licensing and taxation are being used to support public interest causes, especially responsible gaming awareness and enforcement.

“Gaming should give back to its source. Let’s fund responsible gaming departments and partner with established bodies.”

Rangers Dream Big Raffle: Launching Sport-Inclusive Innovation

The Rangers Dream Big Raffle was officially unveiled, tied to Rangers International Football Club. The raffle offers fans and investors an opportunity to participate in community-driven sports funding.

“This is a way to fund football, reward passionate fans, and raise investment for community infrastructure,” where Ejiofor Agada, iGaming industry consultant and advisor to the Enugu State Gaming Commission, said. 

The digital raffle will be regulated, transparent, and offer life-changing prizes, including cash, cars, scholarships, merchandise and lots more, while contributing to sports development in Enugu and beyond.

Civil Society: Youth, Mental Health, and Gambling Debt

Led by Olabimpe Akingba, this session explored the link between gaming, mental health, and youth protection.

“99.8% of players in our database have debt profiles. They are borrowing to gamble. This is not sustainable.”

A regulator from Imo State added: “We arrested an agent for allowing an underage player to bet. Many agents don’t even know the rules. We’re working with radio and local influencers to raise awareness.”

The challenges of poor public education, aggressive advertising, and unregulated digital spaces are choking but solutions to end these are scaling up. “We have student mental health clubs in five universities, and over 130,000 people in our awareness network.”

Closing Plenary: Vision 2030 – Roadmap for Nigeria’s Gaming Sector

Olaitan Samuel delivered the final plenary, outlining a strategic future for Nigeria’s gaming industry. “Gaming is no longer what people used to see as a pastime. I see gaming as becoming a lifestyle. It has become an economy.”

He projected that by 2030, the industry could add over ₦1 trillion to GDP, create 5 million jobs, and run on a licensing system globally respected across borders.

He further emphasised technology as the engine of change: “Blockchain will make payments secure and transparent. AI will personalise player experiences and ensure responsible gaming.”

On innovation drivers, he stressed the power of data: “Data analytics will help operators and regulators make smarter decisions… when you know the numbers of players you have, you can better monitor activity and risk.”

“The only way we can get more investors and operators into the system is to ensure that we harmonise the policy. If this is not unified, I don’t think any investor who knows what he’s doing will come into the country,” he advocated harmonised regulation.

“Regulators must simplify and unify. Operators must innovate ethically. Investors should bet on Africa. Together, we must build a scalable, safe, and sovereign gaming ecosystem.”

Gala/Awards Night: Honouring Visionaries and Industry Leaders

The conference concluded with a Gala Night and Awards Ceremony, a fitting close to two days of strategy, innovation, and sector-wide reflection. Activities included cultural showcases, entertainment, dinner, and networking, while the award categories were Lifetime Achievement in Gaming Awards, given in three categories, Gaming Media Platform of the Year, Gaming Operator of the Year, Emerging Gaming Brand of the Year, and Responsible Gaming Advocate of the Year.

Prince Arum, in closing Summarise that: “When someone places a ₦100 bet, it may look small. But it’s trust, they trust the platform, they trust the process. We must earn that trust every single day.”

The Enugu Gaming Conference 2025 ended with applause, awards and most importantly, clarity. The real work begins now; local content development, responsible gaming, smarter governance, and collective regulation.

Nigeria’s gaming sector may still be fragmented, but if the energy from Enugu is anything to go by, the pieces are slowly coming together.

“Let’s not raise our voices to shape our industry. Let’s collaborate and act. Our players deserve better, and our nation demands it.”

This was the message delivered on day one of the second edition of the Enugu Gaming Conference held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.

Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, an NDPC officer, Alexander Onwe, spoke on the topic “Privacy Compliance and the Future of Gaming: Building Unity Through Decentralised Regulation.”

Onwe laid out the Commission’s position on what gaming operators must prioritise going forward.

“Effective data is the backbone of engagement and revenue. With this rise in interdependency comes heightened risk of violent intent, financial fraud, unauthorised profiling and child exploitation,” he said.

He noted that modern gaming isn’t about consoles or casinos anymore. “Gaming, as we know today, is no longer confined to physical spaces. It is driven by mentalist advertising, behavioural profiling and digital transactions, all of which rely on personalities.”

With the sector expanding into decentralised and digital spaces, the NDPC warned that exposure to risk multiplies when personal data isn’t properly managed. “It recognises the increasingly decentralised nature of gaming regulation, while also acknowledging the shared responsibility we all have to build a trusted, safe and compliant digital ecosystem,” Onwe stated.

Citing the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, he outlined the mandates:

1. Informed Consent: Operators must ensure players give clear consent before data is collected or processed. “Consent is one of the better bases of processing personal data,” he noted. “You must also provide a mechanism by which users can withdraw their consent. They have the right to do so at any time.”
2. Cross-border Transfers: Platforms hosted offshore must comply with Nigeria’s lawful data transfer protocols.
3. Cybersecurity: Gaming platforms must embed strong technical and organisational measures to prevent breaches.
4. Compliance and Accountability: “Gaming companies are expected to demonstrate compliance by developing data privacy models, processing data in line with the principles of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, and registering as a data controller or processor of major importance with the Commission,” Onwe added.

He stressed the need for collaboration between the federal and state levels, urging that decentralised regulatory frameworks must not mean disjointed enforcement. 

“Decentralisation must not mean fragmentation. We should instead empower local innovation while aligning with international principles of privacy, fairness and accountability.”

To that end, the NDPC proposed:

• Regulatory Dialogue: Memoranda of understanding, joint enforcement, and shared compliance metrics among regulators.
• Capacity Building: NDPC will train gaming operators and developers on data protection frameworks.
• Sectoral Frameworks: Specific privacy compliance guidelines for the gaming industry.
• User Awareness: Operators must invest in educating users. “Compliance is not just about ticking boxes, but about earning trust.”

“Privacy is not a barrier to innovation. It is a competitive advantage. As global markets increasingly favour organisations with credible data protection records, Nigeria stands to benefit if its gaming ecosystem is trusted, transparent, responsible and compliant.”

In clear terms, the NDPC sees data protection not as red tape but as a strategic asset to attract global investors, partners and payment processors.

Onwe commended the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission and its leadership. “Enugu State, by hosting this conference, is signalling that it wants to not just be a participant, but a model for responsible gaming innovation in Nigeria.”

He made a direct appeal to the Enugu State Government, “The NDPC is trying to establish partnerships with each state of the Federation. This is based on President Tinubu’s agenda of ensuring Nigeria’s digital economy comes into full bloom through the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy framework.

“I want to beckon on the Executive Governor of Enugu State to get in touch so we can partner to ensure compliance, especially among key state MDAs.”

Before concluding, Onwe presented three documents to the organisers:

1. The Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023
2. NDPC Annual Report
3. The Nigeria Data Protection Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (2023–2027)

“If we want a future where the Nigerian gaming industry thrives globally, we must build it on privacy, compliance and regulatory unity. In this digital age, trust is the new currency, and protecting the personal data of players, users and citizens is how we build that trust.”

Held at the International Conference Centre, the Conference revealed Enugu State’s full-scale launch into regulatory revolution to bolster the gaming sector, while being at the fore.

The State has its focus on digital infrastructure, ethical clarity, and inter-agency collaborations, not waiting for federal alignment, but building its own to thrive without limitations.

The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) delivered a keynote, warning that Nigeria’s decentralised regulatory space would collapse without shared standards for privacy, security, and accountability.

“Effective data is the backbone of engagement and revenue. With this rise in interdependency comes heightened risk of violent intent, financial fraud, unauthorised profiling and child exploitation,” Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner/CEO, NDPC, represented by Alexander Onwe, officer at the Commission.

The NDPC offered capacity-building partnerships and proposed a sector-specific compliance framework for the gaming industry. It also urged the Governor of Enugu to formalise collaboration with the Commission under President Tinubu’s National Digital Economy Policy.

“If we want a future where the Nigerian gaming industry thrives globally, we must build it on privacy, compliance and regulatory unity. In this digital age, trust is the new currency.”

Also speaking at the conference, Executive Secretary of the Enugu Gaming and Lotto Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, said, “We must be honest with ourselves. The Nigerian gaming industry is at a critical juncture. The conversations are no longer just about enforcement. They are now about jurisdiction, innovation, technology, cross-border collaborations and, most important, structure.”

Arum emphasised that centralised control had failed, and that state-level innovation and regulation must rise to meet current complexities. He highlighted that over half of Nigerian states don’t even have a gaming commission, allowing for extortionate practices under the guise of enforcement.

“Effective regulation is not just a legal mandate. It is an enabler of innovation, investment and public trust.”

Industry Speaks: Too Many Laws, Not Enough Clarity

At breakout sessions and panels, operators, developers, and legal experts stress that:

• Multiple licensing requirements across states are crippling operational efficiency.
• Some regulators are unaware of current CAC document standards or outdated EFCC compliance practices.
• In Imo State, gaming companies were fined ₦110 million by the environmental agency over “gaseous emissions”, a charge totally unrelated to their line of business.
• There’s still rampant illegal betting, worsened by lack of coordination and weak digital oversight.

Industry experts called for:

• A central compliance portal for gaming firms to submit documents to EFCC, NDPC, FIRS, etc.
• Pre-warning systems for regulatory breaches instead of first-strike penalties.
• A unified API and CMS standard for state monitoring systems to reduce tech duplication and regulatory fragmentation.

Responsible Gaming and Social Protection

A dedicated panel on responsible gaming noted how much more Nigeria needs to do. Stakeholders stressed that public education, addiction services, and data-driven self-exclusion systems were all lacking.

Prince Arum revealed that a Responsible Gaming Law was recently passed by the State House of Assembly and would soon be implemented. However, he warned:

“Responsible gaming must not be seen as a new avenue to tax the industry. It should be about clear objectives and genuine player protection.”

Experts also called for:

• Use of AI to monitor harmful player patterns;
• State-funded campaigns similar to the UK’s GambleAware;
• Creation of a national exclusion registry shared across operators and states.

What’s Next: A Five-Year View

Looking at what’s next, industry leaders identified that the sector can’t thrive without economic stability.

“If disposable income continues to fall, gaming will be seen less as entertainment and more as survival—which erodes trust and damages perception.”

The sector is hopeful that a centralised multi-state licensing regime, led by the Federation of State Gaming Regulators, will be fully operational within a year.

In closing, Arum said: “The future of Nigeria’s gaming landscape will not be built by passive observers. It will be shaped by those in this room, those who recognise that compliance and innovation are not in conflict.”

July 30–31, 2025 | International Conference Centre, Enugu

Theme:

As Nigeria’s gaming industry evolves from a centralized framework into a more diversified, state-led ecosystem, one event stands out as a compass for operators, solution providers, investors, and enthusiasts alike — the Enugu Gaming Conference 2025.

Holding at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on July 30th and 31st, this year’s edition is themed “From Unification to Diversification: Shaping Nigeria’s Gaming Future” and is poised to address the core challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s fragmented but fast-growing gaming sector.

Navigating Nigeria’s Gaming Regulation Shift

Gaming in Nigeria is no longer defined by federal dominance alone. States are stepping up regulation, licensing, and oversight — and Enugu is leading the pack.

“The 2025 conference is a clarion call for stakeholders to understand and align with the reality of Nigeria’s multi-jurisdictional gaming future. Enugu is ready to show how diversification can be structured and sustainable,” — Prince Arinze Arum, executive secretary, Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission (ESGC)

Whether you offer compliance tech, payment solutions, or operational platforms, now is the time to understand the nuances of this state-driven model.

Market Expansion Meets Local Innovation

Enugu and the broader South-East region are witnessing explosive growth in digital and mobile gaming. A 2024 PwC Nigeria report projected Nigeria’s digital gaming revenue to grow at 16.1% CAGR, with regional markets playing a bigger role.

That means opportunity — especially for providers of scalable tools for mobile, lottery, esports, and virtual betting.

Meet the Decision-Makers

The two-day event will feature:

• Panel sessions with state regulators and other African regional Regulators
• Workshops on responsible gaming, blockchain integration, and gaming taxation
• Live product demos from leading tech firms
• The debut of the Rangers Support Raffle Project, a franchise-ready model combining sports, gaming, and social impact

Not Just Business — A Full Gaming Experience

Gamers and enthusiasts will also enjoy:

• VR and esports exhibitions
• Gaming startup showcases
• Masterclasses for developers, marketers, and operators
• Networking with tech founders, investors, and brand leaders

Don’t Just Watch the Industry Change — Be Part of It

If you’re a gaming solution provider, investor, or operator looking to scale in Nigeria, you can’t afford to miss this.

Register now at www.enugugamingconference.com

Stay ahead. Stay informed. Shape the future.