Across the globe, the business of lottery and gambling is booming, stirring up debates about regulation, profit, and social responsibility. In the last year, three regions—Nigeria, Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, and Ireland—have each faced unique challenges and milestones in their lottery sectors, highlighting the complex interplay between law, economics, and public welfare.
In Nigeria, controversy erupted in October 2025 when the Coalition for Good Governance (CGG), representing over 80 civil society organizations, fiercely criticized the Nigerian Senate's push to enact a central law regulating lottery and gambling nationwide. According to Nigerian Tribune, the coalition’s spokesperson, Comrade Nelson Ekujumi, addressed the press in Lagos, denouncing the Senate’s efforts as an "illegal and unconstitutional voyage of legislative rascality and lawlessness." The CGG’s indignation springs from a landmark Supreme Court ruling delivered on November 22, 2024, which unanimously declared that the National Assembly lacks authority to legislate on lottery matters for any Nigerian state except the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Supreme Court’s decision followed a protracted legal battle initiated in 2008 by Lagos and other state governments, who challenged the federal government’s attempts to regulate lottery and gaming activities across Nigeria. The court, comprising seven justices, held that only state Houses of Assembly possess the exclusive jurisdiction to regulate lottery operations within their respective territories. Ekujumi emphasized that the Supreme Court’s constitutional authority is enshrined in Sections 6(6)(b), 235, and 287, which grant it the exclusive and final power to interpret the country’s laws. "Once it [the Supreme Court] had made a decision on a subject, particularly under the Constitution of Nigeria, it becomes final and binding on all persons and authorities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria — including the Executive and the Legislature," Ekujumi stated, underscoring the gravity of the Senate’s alleged overreach.
The coalition did not mince words, urging the Senate to immediately halt its legislative pursuit and the House of Representatives—which had already passed the bill—to issue an unreserved apology to the Nigerian public. The CGG warned that ignoring the Supreme Court’s ruling not only undermines the rule of law but also threatens national peace and security. "We are at a loss to rationalize the reason for the National Assembly… attempting to illegally and unconstitutionally rewrite the law, other than to undermine democracy, national security and the constitution by this voyage of lawlessness which stands condemned in all ramifications," Ekujumi told reporters. The coalition called on the Senate to decline concurrence to the Central Gaming Bill, insisting that such legislation does not merit further consideration.
While Nigeria’s debate centers on constitutional authority and federalism, Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada are making headlines for entirely different reasons: their residents are the region’s most enthusiastic lottery participants. According to the Atlantic Lotto Corporation (ALC), as reported on October 19, 2025, the province spent more on lottery per capita than any other Atlantic province during the 2024-25 period. Profits for Newfoundland and Labrador climbed from $147 million to $153 million year-over-year, propelled in part by a surge in online casino and slot game activity across all four Atlantic provinces. The ALC highlighted Newfoundland and Labrador as a major driver behind this growth.
Despite the overall uptick in profits, spending at video lottery terminals in Newfoundland and Labrador actually fell by $6.3 million to $118 million, suggesting a shift in player preferences toward digital platforms. The ALC awarded $461 million in prizes during the same period, nearly $14 million more than the previous year, further fueling public interest and excitement in lottery participation. These figures paint a picture of a province where gaming is not just a pastime but a significant economic force—one that continues to evolve with technology and changing consumer habits.
Meanwhile, in Ireland, the National Lottery regulator published its annual report for 2024, revealing a robust year for the country’s lottery sector. On October 20, 2025, the regulator announced that €855.7 million worth of tickets had been sold—a 3.2% increase over 2023. Online sales accounted for 18.1% of the total, or €155.1 million, marking a notable shift toward digital engagement. Despite a slight dip in the number of active retail agents (from 5,195 to 5,166), brick-and-mortar outlets still handled almost 82% of sales, demonstrating the enduring popularity of traditional lottery channels.
The breakdown of sales shows that lottery draws, including the twice-weekly National Lottery and Euromillions, generated €540 million in revenue—almost two-thirds of the total. Instant games like scratch cards also saw a jump, rising from €278 million in 2023 to €315.6 million in 2024. This growth in both draws and instant games reflects a healthy appetite for gaming among Irish consumers.
However, the regulator’s report also shone a spotlight on the ongoing challenge of responsible gambling. A “mystery shop” exercise conducted in 2024—the first in six years—found that nearly 75% of shops were fully compliant with rules prohibiting sales to minors, an improvement since 2018. The proportion of retailers who challenged test purchases rose from 63% to 71%, and 92% displayed ‘over 18’ signs, up from 73% previously. Yet, the regulator deemed the 28% non-compliance rate "unacceptable," and signaled tougher enforcement to come. Carol Boate, the regulator, commented, "While great progress has been made since 2018, there is still room for improvement in terms of age challenge and sale refusal to under 18s." She stressed the need for a "zero-tolerance attitude towards the sale of age-restricted products to children."
Premier Lotteries Ireland, which operates the Irish National Lottery under exclusive rights until 2034, has been owned by French operator La Française des Jeux since 2023. The 2024 report also noted that €239.3 million—28% of sales—was returned to good causes, while €487.6 million, or 57% of sales, was paid out in prizes. A technical glitch in the 2022 "Check my Numbers" facility led to €23,000 being withheld from the operator, with as many as 394 prizes potentially going unclaimed, although the regulator observed "no noticeable increase in the rate of unclaimed prizes during this period."
From constitutional disputes in Nigeria to record-setting profits in Newfoundland and Labrador and regulatory scrutiny in Ireland, the lottery industry’s trajectory is as diverse as the regions it touches. Each jurisdiction faces its own set of challenges—be it legal, economic, or ethical—underscoring the importance of vigilant oversight and responsive governance as gaming continues to evolve around the world.