Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority chief executive Bashir Are said regulators across Africa are working towards a more unified approach to gaming rules and licensing. He also said Lagos plans to host another AGE Africa event in 2025.
A more unified approach could change gaming rules and licensing expectations across African markets.
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The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority said Nigeria has no available remote gaming licences and that online gaming licensing falls under state regulators. It said the former National Lottery Regulatory Commission cannot issue such licences and urged operators to regularise their operations with the appropriate state authorities, warning of possible enforcement action against non-compliant businesses.
The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority launched Responsible Gaming Week to raise awareness of gambling risks, particularly for minors. The authority said more than 60 buses across Lagos carry campaign messages and that licensed operators must enforce a zero-tolerance policy on underage gambling.
Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority chief executive Bashir Are said Lagos and the UK signed a memorandum of understanding at a conference in Rome. The agreement provides for sharing knowledge, expertise and resources to strengthen gaming regulation and enforcement against illegal lottery operations.
Nigeria’s National Lottery Regulatory Commission and the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority issued conflicting positions on which operators may conduct gaming business in Lagos, according to a media report. The report said the state authority had cautioned betting companies over alleged unlawful activity, while the federal commission said some operators it named were authorised to operate nationally.
Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority said it renewed its ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2013 certifications. Chief executive Bashir Are said the revalidation followed a review and update of the agency’s business processes.