The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has called for improved compliance from Nigerian lottery operators regarding the timely remittance of funds to the Federal Government. NLRC Director-General, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, made this announcement in a statement on Thursday following a meeting with the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers (ANB) in Abuja.
During the meeting, Gbajabiamila addressed the government’s concerns over non-compliance, especially among operators managing unlicensed online casinos. He stated, “The Commission will, from now on, sanction operators who fail to remit their dues, change their business addresses without notification, or operate online casinos without the proper licenses.”
ANB Chairman, Sheriff Olaniyan, raised various issues, including enforcement actions in cities like Ibadan and Lagos, as well as challenges related to the NLRC’s Cybersecurity Framework Fees and withholding tax regulations. He emphasized that “98 percent comply with NLRC regulations” and called for “clearer remittance guidelines” to enhance compliance.
In response, Gbajabiamila asserted that the NLRC would not provide advance notice before enforcing regulations. “We will not notify you before enforcement. For some time now, we have refrained from major enforcement actions, but now we must act,” he stressed, highlighting the importance of adherence to permit conditions.
Regarding casino license fees, Gbajabiamila confirmed that there would be no reductions, insisting that only financially capable operators should participate in the industry. He acknowledged the request for a review of quarterly remittances, hinting at potential license revocations to assess operators’ financial viability.
The meeting also touched on a jurisdictional dispute between the Federal Government and Lagos State. Gbajabiamila clarified that “all online lottery activities fall under the Federal Government’s purview,” expressing a commitment to resolving the issue for the benefit of all stakeholders. He concluded, “The bottom line is revenue, and we are ready to share it with states.”
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