The Kano State Hisbah Board has announced plans to intensify its efforts to shut down betting establishments and arrest individuals involved in gambling, citing its prohibition under the state’s Sharia law.

Director-General of the Hisbah Board, Dr. Abba Sufi, confirmed the move on Monday, emphasizing the illegality of betting in Kano under the Islamic legal framework.

“We will resume our clampdown on betting shops with renewed determination since betting is illegal under Kano State Sharia law,” Sufi declared.

The announcement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which overturned the 2005 National Lottery Act and placed gambling regulation under the jurisdiction of state governments.

Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Action in Kano

The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant shift, declaring that state governments, rather than federal authorities, have jurisdiction over gambling legislation. This development has prompted swift reactions, particularly in Kano, where Sharia law coexists with federal statutes.

Dr. Sufi described the ruling as a resolution of long-standing disputes over the regulation of lotteries and betting. “The lottery law had been contentious due to its perceived endorsement of gambling, which Islam forbids. With this verdict, the controversy over jurisdiction between federal and state governments has been settled,” he stated.

Renewed Enforcement in Kano

The Hisbah Board has vowed to reinvigorate its enforcement measures, including shutting down betting shops and detaining those found engaging in gambling activities. The board views the Supreme Court decision as a green light to strengthen its crackdown in alignment with the principles of Sharia law.

This development underscores the broader implications of the Supreme Court ruling, which has set the stage for state governments to establish and enforce their gambling regulations, reflecting local cultural and religious values.