The Islamic morality police, known as the Hisbah, in Kano State have announced plans to resume their crackdown on betting shops following a recent ruling by Nigeria’s Supreme Court on gambling laws.
The Supreme Court overturned a 2005 law that had established the National Lottery Commission and legalized sports betting and gambling in the country.
The court’s decision clarified that the regulation of gambling is now under the jurisdiction of state governments rather than the federal government.
Kano State, one of 12 Nigerian states that implement Islamic Sharia law alongside federal law, has always maintained a strict stance against gambling.
Abba Sufi, the Director-General of Kano’s Hisbah, told AFP, “We will resume our crackdown on betting shops with greater resolve, as betting remains illegal under Kano State’s Sharia law.”
Sufi expressed that the court ruling settled the dispute over who has the authority to regulate gambling in Nigeria, emphasizing that the state had long opposed the national lottery law because it legitimized gambling, which is forbidden in Islam.
The Hisbah’s campaign against betting has been spurred by concerns from parents about children becoming addicted to gambling through football betting.
“The tough economic conditions are driving more people into football betting in hopes of making quick money, which often leads to addiction,” Sufi said.
The Hisbah, responsible for enforcing Sharia law in Kano, had conducted raids on numerous betting shops in the city last month, shutting down several for promoting gambling, which they consider a violation of Sharia law.
However, the raids were temporarily halted after the National Lottery Commission objected, arguing that betting on football was legal under the 2005 Lottery Act.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Hisbah has resumed its efforts to close down betting establishments across Kano.
