The Hisbah, the Sharia police force in Kano, Nigeria, has commenced the closure of sports betting shops that are operating unlawfully, citing the prohibition of betting in Islam.
This crackdown follows concerns from community leaders and parents about the rising number of gambling addicts.
On the first day of the raids, 30 shops were closed in one suburb, and their owners were warned before being sent home. The Hisbah has warned that those violating the rules will now face arrest due to the increased awareness of the clampdown on gambling.
Kano, the economic hub of northern Nigeria and the capital of Kano state operates the Islamic legal system—Sharia—alongside secular law. Bookmakers and bars are allowed to operate in Christian neighbourhoods. However, the current enforcement is specifically targeting Muslim areas in Kano.
The sports betting industry has significantly expanded in Nigeria in recent years, with many people using bookmakers or mobile apps to place bets, driven partly by the country’s economic crisis. This has resulted in widespread addiction and reports of children dropping out of school to gamble.
The raids conducted on Tuesday were concentrated in Minjibir, a popular resort area northeast of the city. Betting shop operators were warned to shut down to avoid arrest and potential Sharia court action.
The specific punishment for such infringements is not clear, but in Kano and other Muslim-majority northern states, Sharia law prohibits prostitution, gambling, and alcohol consumption.