The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, has urged the National Assembly to halt further action on the proposed Central Gaming Bill, warning that it violates the Constitution and goes against a Supreme Court ruling still in force.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the 15th of October, 2025, at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Pedro described the legislation awaiting Senate concurrence as “a voyage of unconstitutionality” that could spark a constitutional crisis if passed.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Lottery Act No. 7 of 2005 and the National Lottery (Amendment) Act No. 6 of 2017, and to Enact the Central Gaming Bill to Regulate the Operation and Business of All Forms of Online and Remote Gaming Across the Geographical Boundaries of the Federating Units and Beyond the Borders of Nigeria,” aims to centralise control of gaming, betting, and lotteries across the country.
Pedro reminded lawmakers that the Supreme Court had already resolved the issue in Suit No. SC/1/2008, Attorney General of Lagos State & 22 Others v. Attorney General of the Federation and Others, which placed lotteries, betting, and gaming under the legislative authority of states.
Citing the judgment delivered on the 13 October 2024, he quoted: “Lotteries, betting, gaming, and other games of chance are residual matters falling within the exclusive legislative competence of the states, except in the Federal Capital Territory.”
He recalled that the Supreme Court had earlier declared the National Lottery Act of 2005 unconstitutional and void, stressing that any effort to reintroduce similar provisions through a new bill amounts to “legislating in defiance of a binding Supreme Court decision.”
Pedro noted, “Once the Supreme Court has spoken on a constitutional issue, its decision is final and binding on all authorities and persons in Nigeria, including the Executive and Legislature.”
According to him, the judgment permanently barred the Federal Government and its agencies from regulating gaming and lotteries within states, except through a constitutional amendment.
Addressing claims that the new bill only covers online gaming, Pedro challenged the logic, saying: “Does ‘online’ make it federal? Whether a ticket is sold in a shop or through a mobile app, it remains a game of chance within the state’s jurisdiction.”
READ ALSO: Tinubu Declines Assent to Two National Assembly Bills Citing Fiscal,Legal Concerns
He warned that enacting the bill could erode Nigeria’s federal structure and disregard the rule of law, adding that states might be forced to return to the Supreme Court to protect their constitutional powers.
Pedro maintained that the Senate must withhold concurrence on the proposed law to preserve federalism, constitutional balance, and national stability.
He reaffirmed Lagos State’s alignment with the 22 other co-plaintiff states in defending the Constitution and upholding judicial authority.
“This issue is not about Lagos State alone. It is about safeguarding the integrity of the Supreme Court and preserving Nigeria’s federal system. The strength of our democracy lies not in the might of any arm of government but in our collective respect for the rule of law,” he concluded.