Nigerian police intensify crackdown on sports betting in Kano state
Kano’s Islamic police force has vowed to intensify its efforts to shut down establishments offering gambling services, following a recent ruling by Nigeria’s Supreme Court.
The decision, which annulled a 2005 federal law legalizing sports betting nationwide, has handed the power to individual states to regulate or prohibit such activities within their borders.
Abba Sufi, a senior official with the Hisbah, Kano’s Islamic police force, confirmed that the ruling reinforces the state’s stance on gambling, which is prohibited under the application of Sharia law in this predominantly Muslim region.
“We will resume our fight against shops offering sports betting with renewed determination,” Sufi declared in a statement to AFP.
The Supreme Court’s decision has sparked a fresh wave of legal clarity, allowing each state to determine its approach to gambling, a significant departure from the previous uniform federal regulation.
In October 2024, the Hisbah force shut down dozens of sports betting outlets in Kano, following growing concerns from parents about the harmful effects these businesses were having on young people, particularly in terms of fostering addiction.
Kano, one of 12 northern Nigerian states where Sharia law operates alongside civil law, has long been a battleground for the clash between religious edicts and federal legislation.
The closure of betting establishments follows complaints from local residents who argue that the widespread popularity of sports betting — which includes football and horse racing — exacerbates financial hardship in the region and encourages unhealthy gambling habits.
Despite opposition from organizations like the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, which called for adherence to the 2005 federal law, the Supreme Court’s ruling has given states the autonomy to decide their own regulatory frameworks.
Sufi emphasized that the increasing economic struggles faced by many Nigerians have made sports betting more enticing, further fueling addiction among vulnerable individuals.
With approximately 200 sports betting shops operating in Kano, these establishments have become gathering points for local communities, offering live broadcasts of sporting events.
However, Sufi’s team remains resolute in their mission, warning that unchecked gambling could exacerbate social issues and further strain the region’s resources.