The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has warned against discrediting or preventing any of Federal Government licensed lotteries and gaming companies from conducting their businesses in any states of the federation.
Further, NLRC stressed that holders of National Lottery Licence does not need to obtain any other licence but are free and has right to operate in any other states of the Federation.
It reminded state governments and its agents of the National Lottery Act 2005 which conferred on NLRC the apex regulatory powers of lotteries and gaming in Nigeria.
The NLRC warning and explanations are against the backdrop of harassments and blacklisting of National Lottery licence holders by Lagos State, which discredited and prevented them from conducting their businesses of lottery and gaming in the state.
The NLRC in a statement noted with dismay, series of publications recently by the Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB) discrediting some Federal Government licensed lotteries and gaming companies conducting business in Lagos State, without due regards to their status as holders of national licences.
It cited that of particular concern was the publication that listed many of the said NLRC licensees as illegal operators in Lagos State, adding that another case in point was the publication which alleged that Zoomlifestyle lottery scheme was illegal and discouraged Lagosians from participating in the scheme.
According to NLRC, “While not trying to join issues with the LSLB on this matter, NLRC considers it necessary to offer some clarifications in order that the Nigerian gaming public as well as other industry stakeholders are not misled, but be properly guided.”
It maintained that Truthworth Solutions Limited (Zoomlifestyle lottery), GabLotto, Give ‘n’ take, MLotto, WesternLotto, WescoLotto, Chopbarh, Betbiga, Betwinner, and Bet24hrs are bonafide licensees of the NLRC, having completed the rigorous and due process of obtaining Lottery license and gaming permits.
As the apex regulator of lotteries and gaming in Nigeria, the NLRC is not in doubt of its mandate and powers as conferred on it by the National Lottery Act 2005 which is the contemporary law governing lottery and gaming activities in modern Nigeria.
NLRC further said: “Any operator licensed by the Federal Government has the right and is free to conduct business of Lottery and gaming in any part of the federation (Lagos State inclusive).
“The plethora of court judgements (which substantiate the above assertion) to the effect that holder of the National Lottery Licence does not need to obtain any other licence to operate in any other state of the Federation is still subsisting. Members of the public are advised to visit our website for full list of licensed Lottery and gaming companies in Nigeria.
“The issue of the LSLB blacklisting holders of National Lottery Licence therefore does not arise.
“The general public, in the interest of all industry stakeholders, is hereby encouraged to continue to patronise and participate in lottery and gaming schemes conducted anywhere in the country by holders of National Lottery Licence.”
