Director General of the commission, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, who, therefore, assured them of commission’s commitment to strengthen regulation with a view to ensuring better business atmosphere, stated this at the weekend in Abuja during the presentation of certificates to newly licensed operators of Sports Betting in Nigeria.
The occasion, which also witnessed signing terms and conditions for the license, saw a total of six companies being licensed in one swoop.
The newly licensed companies include Over the Top Entertainment Limited (Naira Bet), KC Gaming Networks Limited (Bet9ja), TM Gaming Networks Limited (Accessbet), Promoserve Interlinks Limited (ibet), African Betting Company Nigeria Limited (Afribet) and Black Bet Limited (Blackbet) at the commissions Head Office, while Digi Bay Limited (Betway) and Crystal Gaming (Betbiga) had earlier received their own licenses.
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Mr Gbajabiamila warned them that the Monitoring and Enforcement team of the commission would not condone any form of illegality, advising them to report any illegal operator to the commission; as it is mandatory that both the regulatory body and operators work in unison to ensure the industry is conducive and stable for operation.
The DG expressed his delight to make the presentation to the operators, as this was the first time Sports Betting licenses were being given to operators since inception of the commission.
He affirmed that the presentation was in line with NLRC’s core mandate of providing the needed regulatory framework and the issuance of license/permit to operators who have met necessary requirements.
NLRC boss then urged them to be guided with the terms and conditions provided by the commission.
According to him, the presentation of the permit will help to flag off corporate collaboration with the Sports Betting companies and aid operations nationwide. The gaming industry is in a different terrain from what it used to be and will even better in the next five years.
In his remarks, the CEO of Promoserve Interlinks Limited (ibet), Honourable Gbanga Elegbeleye, thanked the commission for issuing the operating permit to them and applauded the DG’s impeccable track record in the gaming industry.
Honourable Elegbeleye, who expressed confidence in the leadership of the commission and predicted a brighter future for the gaming industry, therefore, assured that operators would play by the rules as expected.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/founder of Over the Top Entertainment Limited (Nairabet), Otunba Akin Alabi, implored the commission to ensure illegal operators were clamped down.
He noted that the industry was evolving and appealed that the Federal regulators should give full support to operators, to help curb the excesses of the state in terms of incessant demands.
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