Kano’s Hisbah police are back in action, and this time, they’re not holding back. After a decisive ruling by Nigeria’s Supreme Court overturned the 2005 law that legalized sports betting, Kano State is wasting no time reinstating its Sharia-based ban on gambling. With the court declaring that lottery regulation falls under state jurisdiction, Kano’s morality police are gearing up for what they call a “renewed determination” to clamp down on betting shops.
“Betting is illegal under Kano state sharia law,” said Abba Sufi, Director General of the Hisbah, with the kind of conviction that makes it clear—Kano is drawing a hard line.
The Clash of Laws
This Supreme Court decision didn’t just settle a legal battle—it rekindled a cultural divide. The now-defunct National Lottery Act once allowed betting nationwide, leading to the rise of betting shops across Kano, where soccer matches and horse races light up screens and lure hopeful punters. However, in Kano, one of 12 states governed by Islamic sharia alongside federal law, federal permission was always a point of contention.
“With this verdict, the controversy on who should be in charge of lottery legislation between the federal government and state governments has been settled,” Sufi explained, all but signaling the Hisbah’s go-ahead for more raids.
The Betting Shop Boom—and Bust
Kano’s 200 betting shops have grown into vibrant hubs for sports enthusiasts, but their days may now be numbered. Operators and patrons alike face an uncertain future as Hisbah operatives prepare to renew their raids, claiming these establishments are breeding addiction, especially among the city’s youth.
Sufi pointed to the harsh economic realities that push many into gambling, describing how the allure of quick money hooks people into a cycle of dependence. Parents, too, have expressed concern, blaming their children’s football fandom for leading them into gambling.
“The harsh economic climate is pushing more people into this football gambling, hoping to make easy money and becoming hooked to the vice,” Sufi argued.
What’s Next for Kano’s Betting Scene?
This crackdown highlights the growing tension between Nigeria’s federal laws and state-level sharia governance. For Kano, the Supreme Court’s ruling is more than just a legal win—it’s a cultural affirmation, allowing the state to uphold its Islamic principles.
For betting shop operators and their customers, the verdict spells uncertainty. The Hisbah’s resumed raids will likely reshape Kano’s gaming landscape, leaving many to question whether this cultural and economic clash will set a precedent for other states to follow.
