Stakeholders call for improved operating environment for lottery industry …as Give ‘n’Take opens Lagos office

Operators, regulators and agents, in the nation’s fast-growing lottery business have called for a friendlier environment that would enable the business of lottery to thrive, noting that such would go a long way in assisting the Federal Government achieve its plans to diversify the nation’s economy.

Some of these stakeholders who spoke at the commissioning of the Lagos Office of Give ‘n’ Take Lottery, a limited liability lottery company, over the weekend, argued that with adequate support from governments at all tiers and improved regulations, the industry was capable of generating close to N350billion revenue annually to the government.

Describing the nation’s lottery companies as best placed to pull the country out of its economic doldrums and lift a huge number of Nigerians out of poverty, the Chief Executive Officer of Give ‘n’ Take, Mr Jolly Enabulele, explained that the decision to expand the frontiers of the company to Lagos was informed by the need to avail the people of the state the opportunity of being part of the mega millionaires the company would be producing through its super win lottery in the next few months.

He added that since securing its operational licence in 2015, from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), the company had succeeded in making its presence felt in 25 states of the federation.

“But it is not only our spread that is exciting, we have also introduced a number of novel products that have made us the partner of choice for punters across the country,” he argued.

He also announced the company’s plans to roll out a national jackpot tagged  Give ‘n’ Take National Jackpot, where participants would have the opportunity of winning millions of naira weekly.

“It is the mission of Give ‘n’ Take to create a super win lottery in this country. We shall create millionaires like never before experienced in Nigeria. Our big stakes, the jackpot price, shall be rolled over if a winner does not emerge at any draw, plus 50 per cent of the prize money for that week,” he stated.

He noted that though the industry had been battling with poor image in the past, he however believes the establishment of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission had brought order and professionalism to the sector.

“Recent figures show that the industry records about N30billion in monthly transactions, but this barely scratches the surface. According to studies, the industry can generate about N350billion in revenue for the government in a year. That means lottery companies are best placed to pull Nigeria out of its economic doldrums and lift a lot of Nigerians out of poverty through pay-out of winnings to players thereby helping people to live their dreams,” he stated.

He explained that besides its readiness to play by the rule, another factor that sets the company apart from others, is the transparency of the lottery draws.

“We are committed to transparent lottery draws in which the general public, and particularly players, have the right and privilege of participation in our ultra modern live draw studio,” he stated.

While expressing his agency’s support for the company and others,  ready to play by the rules, the Director General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Adolphus Joe Ekpe, stated that the time had come for stakeholders in the industry to work together to enable the industry achieve its full potential.

Reiterating the fact that lottery remains a legal business in Nigeria, the NLRC’s boss stated that the Commission is presently working in conjunction with the state security agents to ensure that those doing the business, without the backing of the law, are arrested and prosecuted.

He announced the Commission’s plans to reach out to other stakeholders in the business, especially states’ lottery regulatory agents, with the aim of fine-tuning grey areas, such as multiple taxation and other overlapping functions in order to create an enabling environment for operators.

While assuring Give ‘n’ Take of the state government’s readiness to support legal lottery business in the state, the Chairman, Lagos State Lottery Board, Mr Seun Anibaba also offered the Board’s full co-operation to NLRC in order to enhance the ease of doing lottery business in the state.

He argued that while the state was not averse to legal lottery business, he however urged the company to always discharge their civic responsibilities to the state.