The Lagos State Lotteries Board is working on a workable framework for the sub-sector in 2017. It wants to position the section of hospitality business in a way that will make it contribute more to the economic development of the state and the country at large.
The General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the LSLB, Mr. Oluwaseun Anibaba, made this known recently when the board held a meeting with stakeholders at Best Western Hotel, Ikeja.
The LSLB regulates public online lottery, including online betting, promotional competitions, private lotteries, charitable lotteries and what it calls society competitions.
“A person or organisation who intends to organise a promotional competition, shall apply for a licence. Application for licence shall be made prior to the commencement of any promotional competition in Lagos State,” the board notes in its rules and regulations.
The stakeholders meeting was, however, organised based on the principle that the LSLB adopts an inclusive approach in its regulatory functions.
According to Anibaba, the board has the mandate to protect operators and create a conducive environment for investors to operate.
He said, “We are looking at harmonising gaming laws. We want to harmonise the laws as they pertain to gaming, which include sports betting and casinos. We have heard several suggestions from the operators that we will take back and think through to come up with a workable framework.”
The board’s policy statement further indicated that LSLB held its licencees to high operational and management standards in the interest of stakeholders including the general public.
According to the policy, its open-door policy ensures investors, operators, aggrieved stakers and the general public to have access to accurate information, excellent services and timely grievance resolution.
Although many people and organisations are fond of organising promotions and raffle draw, they do not get permits from the board. It noted that this was wrong because the organiser ought to obtain a licence for each promo.
It said, “All promotional competitions conducted within Lagos State must be registered with LSLB. Even the instant-win promos, if there is an element of chance i.e. if not all participants will emerge winners, then it qualifies as part of the activities to be registered with the LSLB.”
The board attends such promos if it gets invitation at least 48 hours to the beginning.