NIGPOST: Hisbah to Resume Crackdown on Betting Shops Following Court Ruling.
The Hisbah Board in Kano State, northern Nigeria, has announced plans to intensify its clampdown on betting shops following a Supreme Court verdict on gambling regulation.
The ruling nullified the 2005 National Lottery Act, which had legalized gambling at the federal level, stating that gambling laws fall under the jurisdiction of individual states.
Kano, a predominantly Muslim state governed by Sharia law alongside federal regulations, has long prohibited gambling activities.
Abba Sufi, Director General of the Kano Hisbah Board, stated, “We will resume our operations against betting shops with greater determination since gambling is illegal under Kano State’s Sharia law.”
This decision follows a temporary suspension of previous raids on betting shops, prompted by federal claims that the 2005 Lottery Act superseded state laws.
The Supreme Court’s verdict has now settled the controversy, empowering states to regulate or ban gambling activities.
Hisbah’s recent raids targeted dozens of betting shops in Kano, shutting them down amid growing concerns from parents about children being drawn into gambling, often influenced by their love of football.
“The harsh economic conditions are driving more people to football gambling, hoping for easy money, but instead getting trapped in the vice,” Sufi explained.
Kano State hosts about 200 betting outlets where residents place bets on football matches and horse races.
The National Union of Gaming and Lottery Workers in Kano has expressed concern over the impact of these raids on the livelihoods of those involved in the industry.
The renewed crackdown aims to uphold Kano State’s stance against gambling under its Sharia framework, addressing both moral and societal concerns.
Stay tuned for more updates on NIGPOST.
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