The Kano State Hisbah, known for enforcing Sharia law, has announced plans to renew its clampdown on betting shops after the Supreme Court nullified a 2005 federal law that legalized gambling.
The court’s decision affirmed that states, not the federal government, have the authority to regulate gambling activities.
On Friday, November 22, the Supreme Court annulled the National Lottery Act of 2005, which had established a national lottery commission and permitted sports betting. The ruling gives states the exclusive jurisdiction to determine the legality of gambling within their territories.
Kano is one of 12 predominantly Muslim states in Nigeria where Sharia law operates alongside federal laws. Under Sharia, gambling is strictly prohibited.
Abba Sufi, the Director General of Kano Hisbah, stated:
“We will resume our clampdown on betting shops with renewed determination since betting is illegal under Kano State Sharia law.”
Hisbah officials have previously shut down several football betting shops across Kano, citing gambling’s incompatibility with Islamic principles.
However, these raids were suspended after the National Lottery Commission argued that federal law permitted such activities.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling now clarifying the legal framework, Hisbah intends to intensify enforcement.
“This verdict settles the controversy over who has authority on lottery legislation between the federal and state governments. We in Kano frown upon the lottery law because it legalizes gambling, which is clearly prohibited in Islam.”
The rise of football betting in Kano has sparked widespread concern. Many betting shops in the city attract customers with live broadcasts of international soccer matches and horse races. According to Sydney Emeafu, head of the National Union of Gaming and Lottery Workers (NUGLOW) in Kano, around 200 betting establishments operate in the city.
Sufi highlighted that the growing passion for football among youth, combined with harsh economic conditions, has led to an increase in gambling.
“Parents have expressed concerns about their children becoming hooked on gambling due to their love for football. Many are lured by the hope of making easy money in this economic climate,” he said.
With this renewed focus, Hisbah aims to not only enforce Sharia law but also address the social consequences of gambling in Kano.
While the crackdown is bound to impact local betting establishments, it reflects the broader tension between federal and state laws in a culturally diverse nation like Nigeria.