The Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have disagreed over the blacklisting of some lottery firms in Lagos.
The state government had issued a publication in which it described as illegal certain lottery operators registered with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
But the NLRC said the state did not have such powers.
The commission’s Director General, Lanre Gbajabiamila, in a statement on Friday, criticised the Lagos State Lotteries Board for discrediting lottery operators registered with the federal board.
He said, “The National Lottery Regulatory Commission has noted with dismay, series of publications recently by the Lagos State Lotteries Board 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.
“Of particular concern is the publication that listed many of the said NLRC licensees as illegal operators in Lagos State. Another case in point is the publication stating that Zoomlifestyle lottery scheme was illegal, discouraging Lagosians from participating in the scheme.
“Truthware 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.”
The DG said the NLRC, as the apex regulator of lotteries and gaming in Nigeria, was backed by the National Lottery Act of 2005, the law governing lottery and gaming activities in Nigeria.
He insisted that there was, therefore, no grounds for the blacklisting of holders of national lottery licences.
“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,” Gbajabiamila said.
