FCTA Moves to Generate Revenue from Lottery, Gaming
By: Wisdom Acka
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun moves to harness economic potentials from gaming and lottery in the FCT.
Director General, FCT Lottery Regulatory Office, Lanre Gbajabiamila, announced this during a joint press conference with FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Gbajabiamila explained that the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has issued a directive for the commencement of the regulation and oversight of the gaming industry within the nation’s capital to boost and prevent revenue loss.
According to the DG, the decision to commence generation of revenue from gaming and lottery was reached following a recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of AG Lagos & Others Vs AG Federation & Anor SC/1/2008.
The judgment affirmed that the authority to regulate lottery and gaming activities within the FCT resides within the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
His words: “We appeal to existing and intending operators to be assured that this mandate aligns with the FCTA’s vision to harness the economic potential of the gaming sector for the development of the FCT, while pursuing the objective of enhancing the industry’s reputation.
“Moreover, this directive presents an invaluable opportunity for the FCT to utilise its gaming industry for economic growth and social benefits, and the responsibility to collaborate closely with the office of the Honourable Minister and the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) to ensure proper regulatory oversight and effective gaming remittance within the industry.
“This development will help to establish a robust and transparent regulatory framework for gaming activities in the FCT, as well as create an enabling environment that fosters investment,
fair play, and responsible gaming.”
He, however, reiterated that all gaming licenses and permits previously issued by the defunct National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) remained valid and enforceable within the FCT for the remaining term of the license or permit.
He added that the licensed operators would continue to operate under the FCT Lottery Regulatory Office (FCT-LRO) without disruptions following this renewed mandate.
“We recognise that this regulatory shift may provoke inquiries among stakeholders, and we encourage licensed operators to engage with us as we navigate this transition. Our goal remains to ensure clarity, stability, and fairness while upholding global best practices in gaming regulation”, he stressed.
Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Michael Ango, while making his remarks, disclosed that the Gaming Industry holds a lot of promise for attracting investment to the territory.
“We are all aware Abuja is becoming a tourist destination. We believe that one of the attractions of cities such as ours is that people come here for leisure, and I believe that the gaming industry holds a lot of promise for attracting investment into the FCT. That is the reason why we believe that this initiative is for the overall benefit of the residents of the FCT.”
Ango assured: “We want to assure you that as we take off this initiative, we will continue to brief you on progress, the FCT Lottery regulatory office is open for businesses, and we are using this opportunity to invite our operators and investors to do the needful.
“We are grateful to the Honorable Minister for his vision, foresight and support, and we want to pledge that we will surely reciprocate the confidence that he has put in both organizations to drive this course,” he pledged.
