Operators Urged By Lottery Commission To Ensure Timely Remittances

Operators Urged By Lottery Commission To Ensure Timely Remittances

The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has urged Nigerian lottery operators to improve their compliance regarding the timely remittance of funds to the Federal Government. In a statement released on Thursday, NLRC Director-General Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila made this announcement following a recent meeting with the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers in Abuja…….CONTINUE READING 

During the meeting, Gbajabiamila expressed the government’s increasing concerns over non-compliance, particularly among operators managing unlicensed online casinos. He warned, “The Commission will impose sanctions on operators who fail to remit their dues, change business addresses without notification, or operate online casinos without the proper licenses.”

Sheriff Olaniyan, Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers, raised several pertinent 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 reiterated that the NLRC would not provide advance notice before enforcing regulations. “We will not notify you before enforcement. We have refrained from major enforcement actions for some time, but now we must act,” he stated, highlighting the importance of adhering to permit conditions.

Regarding the contentious casino license fees, Gbajabiamila confirmed 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 and hinted at the possibility of license revocations to assess operators’ financial viability.

The meeting also touched on an ongoing jurisdictional dispute between the Federal Government and Lagos State. Gbajabiamila clarified that “all online lottery activities fall under the Federal Government’s jurisdiction” and expressed a commitment to resolving the matter for the benefit of all stakeholders. “The bottom line is revenue, and we are ready to share it with states,” he added.

He reassured members of the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers of the NLRC’s commitment to supporting them, pledging to engage with the Presidential Committee on tax regulations and other regulatory concerns raised during the discussions.