The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has officially launched SafePlay, a national self-exclusion portal for all licensed gambling platforms in the state, allowing players to voluntarily opt out of gambling activities, highlighting the regulator's focus on player welfare beyond revenue generation.
This tool was announced at an industry conference held at the Regent Luxury Suites in Ikeja, Lagos, bringing together gambling regulators, operators, media, and public interest groups to discuss the operational mechanisms, compliance requirements, and long-term development vision of SafePlay.
The core of SafePlay is to provide professional third-party support and counseling services for users who are in self-isolation or vulnerable periods, ensuring they receive necessary help when needed and safeguarding their mental health and safety.
Fasan Oluyemisi, former CEO of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, in an interview with iGB, stated that this move reflects that Nigerian regulators are not only focused on industry profits but also place player protection and responsible gambling at the center of regulation. She praised the program as setting a good example for other markets, emphasizing that "although gambling is entertainment, it comes with risks and must be managed responsibly."
Oluyemisi further noted that tools like SafePlay have been applied in many global markets, helping gamblers effectively control their behavior and reduce the risk of gambling addiction. She particularly emphasized that the suffering of many gambling addicts is often overlooked, unlike the obvious symptoms of drug abuse, and it is crucial to raise public awareness of problem gambling and provide tool support, helping people make rational choices rather than being trapped by fear or shame.
The expert also stated that the launch of SafePlay reflects the foresight and responsibility of the Lagos regulatory layer, marking a new era in Nigerian gambling regulation centered on player welfare, and looking forward to the entire industry forming a positive atmosphere to promote responsible gambling.
Driven by the rapidly growing online gambling market in Nigeria, Lagos has become a highly active center for operators. The market also has private player protection tools like BetBlocker, which provide cross-platform restriction services and parental control features to prevent minors from accessing gambling content and help operators implement responsible gambling measures.
It is noteworthy that in July 2025, the National Gambling Regulatory Council of Nigeria publicly opposed the "Central Gambling Act of 2025," stating that it is essentially a "repackaging" of the now-repealed "National Lottery Act of 2005." The 2005 Act had established a national gambling regulatory body, but it was repealed by the Supreme Court in 2024, and currently, gambling regulation in Nigeria is managed by individual states.
As the latest regulatory innovation introduced by Lagos State, SafePlay marks a step towards a more mature and humane direction in Nigerian gambling regulation, laying a solid foundation for the sustainable and healthy development of the industry.
