The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) recently published a list of 43 betting and gaming companies operating without licenses, causing ripples in the burgeoning gaming industry.
This development has sparked controversy as industry experts and stakeholders clash over its implications.
LSLGA’s public notice, urging the public to steer clear of these unlicensed operators, has drawn criticism from some industry players.
However, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), led by Director General Lanre Gbajabiamila, swiftly contested the list.
The NLRC maintained that the companies listed by LSLGA as unlicensed were, in fact, duly licensed to conduct lottery and sports betting operations across Nigeria.
This dispute has disrupted the stability the gaming industry has enjoyed since a court judgment that confirmed the NLRC as the legitimate regulatory authority for the industry in Nigeria.
The confusion has also been viewed as a direct challenge to Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo’s ruling in 2020, affirming the Federal Government’s exclusive right to legislate and oversee lottery activities in the country.
As the controversy escalates, the gaming industry’s future remains uncertain, and all eyes are on the legal battles and resolutions that will determine the fate of these companies.
