The federal government on Tuesday said that it would do all within its statutory powers to ensure the gaming industry in Nigeria remains on the steady path of sustainable growth and development.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Gaming Conference 2023 hosted by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Honourable Zephaniah Jisalo, however maintained that “the Federal Ministry of Special Duties is aware that the principal cause of friction between the federal and state regulators is revenue”.
The conference themed, “Innovation and Disruption: Core Strategies for Success”, he added, “This carefully chosen theme and the topics slated for deliberations in the course of the conference are germane to the present situation in Nigeria’s gaming industry”.
The minister added that, “the logic behind this event is very laudable and deserves commendation from all worthy stakeholders in the gaming industry.
“This conference is very strategic and timely as the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs looks forward to a fruitful outcome of this esteemed gathering via the Value-Added Communiqué.
“As we may all recall, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission was created by the National Lottery Act 2005 (As Amended). An Act of the National Assembly to enable the Federal Government of Nigeria to properly organize and coordinate the operations of the lottery business in Nigeria that was hitherto an all-comers affair. Since then, the Commission has been on a steady growth path.
“This conference is a further demonstration and commitment by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR with its Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that all stakeholders understand the importance the federal government attaches to the gaming industry.
“Furthermore, on this auspicious occasion, The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs (FMSDIGA) would like to encourage all operators to remain compliant and all relevant agencies here present to strengthen your inter-agency collaborations to consolidate the progress made so far in taking the gaming industry to greater heights.
“The outcome of this conference will be strategic to strengthening the future of the gaming industry. Therefore, I sincerely urge all stakeholders to see your participation in this conference as a national call to service and see Nigeria as the bigger picture.
“I believe a win-win situation will emanate from this conference for all critical stakeholders, and the gaming industry will be better for it going forward.
“Moreover, we all know that Nigeria’s gaming industry has evolved tremendously as the world is now a Global Village. In light of this, I am using this occasion to address the issue of the dichotomy of regulators.
“However, we believe that all concerned can find mutual common ground for the good of stakeholders to enhance peace, harmony and progress.
“Therefore, the ministry suggests a ‘Shared-Value’ engagement to reach an amicable resolution of issues in the gaming sector rather than the ‘Jurisdictional Protection’ approach as the case is now.
“In conclusion, I sincerely appreciate everyone who has honoured our invitation to the commencement of this program with the hindsight that you might have sacrificed your other engagements to be here.
“The calibre of attendees here convinces me that we are poised to make an indelible mark in the annals of history by creating a newly improved gaming industry we all shall be proud of”, the minister declared.
. TheWitness
