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.”

Mbah spoke during the opening of the second and 2025 edition of the Enugu Gaming Conference organised by the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Wednesday.

The two-day Conference, which has “From Unification to Diversification: Shaping Nigeria’s Gaming Future” as its theme, is part of the resolve of the Enugu State Government to shape and grow the state’s gaming industry.

Dr. Mbah represented by the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Urama, emphasised the transformative potential of the gaming industry as a catalyst for job creation and economic growth.

He commended the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission for organising the Conference, which focuses on issues such as the movement from a centralised to decentralised regulatory architecture, reiterated his administration’s commitment to revolutionising the gaming sector through technological, innovation, and robust regulation.

“Over the past year, the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission has taken giant strides in regulatory transformation and I am proud to share that we have invested in cutting-edge digital infrastructure aimed at raising the bar for regulatory excellence.

“At the heart of this transformation is the Automated License Verification and Operator Registration Portal, a secure intelligence system that enables real-time tracking, licensing, and validation of gaming operators across the state.

“This innovation has drastically reduced manual interference, minimised the risk of fraud, and ensure compliance with our gaming laws,” he stated.

He further announced plans to roll out advanced technologies and awareness campaigns to promote responsible gaming, protect vulnerable communities, and eliminate underage gambling in Enugu State.

Speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, underscored the evolving nature of the industry, noting that the conversion had been elevated.

“We must be honest with ourselves: the Nigerian gaming industry is at a critical juncture. The conversations are no longer just about enforcement or revenue generation. They are now about jurisdiction, innovation, technology, cross-border collaborations, and most importantly, structure,” he said.

Arum stressed on the need for a decentralised regulatory framework tailored to local realities and economic priorities while maintaining synergy between state-level commissions and federal institutions.

“Unification gave us a framework. Diversification now demands that we tailor that framework to local realities, economic priorities, and constitutional responsibilities,” he emphasised.

The National Commissioner of the National Data Protection Commission, Vincent Olatunji, who was represented by Alexander Owen, stressed the importance of privacy, security, and compliance in shaping the future of gaming.

He advocated for robust age verification processes on gaming platforms to protect minors and warned that personal data collection must be consensual and limited to what is necessary for platform operations.

Meanwhile, the Enugu Gaming Conference underscores the state’s resolve to grow and structure the gaming and lotto industry, leveraging technology and innovation to drive economic development while ensuring responsible and regulated practices.