Nigeria recorded West Africa’s lowest share of unregulated online gambling revenue in 2025, although unlicensed platforms still generated more than half of the country’s estimated digital GGR.
Unregulated operators accounted for 56% of Nigeria’s online gambling GGR during 2025, according to research from Gaming Compliance International.
Licensed operators accounted for the remaining 44%, compared with regulated shares of 31% across West Africa and 23% across the continent.
West African online gambling GGR increased from US$4.3bn in 2024 to $4.8bn last year.
Regulated operators generated $1.5bn, while unlicensed platforms accounted for $3.3bn, or 69% of the regional market.
Across Africa, online gambling GGR reached an estimated $23bn in 2025. Licensed operators generated $5.2bn, increasing their share from 22% to 23%, while unregulated businesses accounted for $17.8bn.
The number of unregulated operators targeting African customers rose from 3,644 to 4,129 during the year.
Online gambling participation increased from an estimated 198m people in 2024 to 215m, equivalent to 14% of the continent’s population.
Ismail Vali, president of GCI, said: “Regulatory performance should be assessed through customer movement into licensed markets rather than the number of licences or enforcement actions completed.
“Ultimately, it is marketplace outcomes, not the volume of regulatory activity, that are the true measure of success.”
The figures are GCI market estimates rather than official totals compiled by African gambling regulators.
Unregulated platforms continued to generate most estimated Nigerian online gambling revenue, despite the country recording a higher regulated share than its West African peers.
