Federal government will soon acquire a Central Monitoring System (CMS) for the gaming industry for better performance and enhanced revenue generation.
Sen. George Akume, minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, stated this at the opening of the maiden National Gaming Conference organised by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) in Lagos.
According to him, reports indicate that Nigeria’s gaming industry, including international stakeholders, in 2019 grossed more than N250 billion, noting that revenues to the government did not exceed N1bn that year.
Akume said the acquisition of the CMS, which was already captured in the 2021 Appropriation Act, would enable the Commission and its sister agency, the National Lottery Trust Fund, to perform maximally in their regulatory functions and provision of lottery good causes to Nigeria.
“The CMS is desperately desirable to enable the government to block leakages being experienced in the gaming industry as well as eliminate discrepancies often observed from the books of some operators.
“This will undoubtedly entrench transparency and accountability in the industry, thereby making things a lot easier for all stakeholders,” the minister said.
Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, director-general of NLRC, said that the commission would be working with relevant industry stakeholders and government officials on the amendment of existing lottery laws.
Gbajabiamila said the amendment would provide a legislative and regulatory framework that would best serve the industry.