By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun control of betting and related activities to ensure compliance to lottery standards and regulations by the operators.
Acting chairman FCT -Internal Revenue Service, Michael Ango in conjunction with the Director FCT Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lanre Gbajabiamila announced this during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
This is in line with the recent Supreme court ruling that empowers state and the Federal Capital Territory to monitor their lottery and gaming activities.
Prior to the ruling, Larne Gbajabiamila was the Director -General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
Michael Ango, commended the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike for taking the initiative to issue a directive to “commence the regulation and oversight of the gaming industry within the FCT to put at ease existing operators domiciled in Abuja and prevent loss of revenue.
“This decision arose as an aftermath of the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s landmark judgment in the case of AG Lagos & Ors Vs AG Federation & Anor SC/1/2008, which affirmed that the authority to regulate lottery and gaming activities within the FCT resides within the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory Administration,” he saud.
He said the Service remained “fully committed to providing stability, clarity, and continuity in our regulatory approach.”
Acting chairman appealed to existing and intending operators to be rest assured that this mandate aligns with the FCTA’s vision to harness the economic potential of the gaming sector for the development of the FCT, while pursuing the objective of enhancing the industry’s reputation.
He also assured that the Service would effectively utilise its gaming industry for the economic growth and social benefits and to collaborate closely with the office of the Minister.
He also assured that the FCT-IRS would provide proper regulatory oversight and effective gaming remittance within the industry, establish a robust and transparent regulatory framework for gaming activities in the FCT, create an enabling environment that would foster investment, fair play, and responsible gaming. “Strengthen mechanisms for revenue generation, ensuring that the gaming sector contributes significantly to the economic development of the FCT.”
He also appealed to stakeholders seeking new opportunities in the gaming industry to open for business, and all prospective operators wishing to obtain an FCT Gaming License are invited to submit their applications.
In his remarks, the Director FCT Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lanre Gbajabiamila who appreciated the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike assured that all former licenses would remain operational till the expiration of their license.
Gbajabiamila said the Commission would re-strategize with the change as operators and players will build in line with the laws.
He also warned operators that as regulators they have zero tolerance for irregularities, especially, under aged players and gamers, warning that serious sanctions awaited operators who allow under aged and students.
“We are always very passionate about that( children and students).
Now, there’s zero tolerance, in line with global best practices. You cannot have school children betting. We don’t entertain that.”
“And there have been serious sanctions and fines for any operator that is operating or selling the tickets to the underage. So there’s a zero tolerance to that.
“So anybody who decides to allow anybody who is underage to operate on their platform, we will certainly use that person as a test case for penalties and other sanctions.”
