A bill to establish the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority has passed its second reading at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The Bill, sponsored by the New Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams, was to consolidate and ammonize all gaming activities and related laws in the state.
In his argument, Hon. Rotimi Olowo – Somolu Two- , a co-sponsor of the bill, stressed that the bill seek to review the 2015 Lotteries Board Law; as it can no longer meet up with today’s requirements, especially for Virtual and Online gaming.
Olowo stressed that the State government could not earn revenue from such gaming simply because, the Lotteries Board revenue scope was limited.
“If the scope is widen to include online gaming, a lot of money –Revenue- will accrued to the State“, Olowo emphasized.
He added that revenue gotten from the Authority would be used to increase infrastructural development.
According to Olowo “. . . to be more proactive, there is need for us – the Assembly- activate all agencies of the Government to show up our revenue.”
Urging his Colleagues to support the Bill, Hon. Olowo implored that the bill should be forwarded to necessary committees.
In his contribution and support, Hon Desmond Elliot recommended a better relationship between the State and Federal Lotteries.
“There (are) usually a lot of problems. One, some of these Lotteries register with Federal; they have nothing to do with the State. And, the State is losing a lot of revenue from that” Desmond explained.
He added that the Authority should be allowed to organize its own lotteries.
Also supporting the Bill, Hon. Richard Kasunmu argued that it should among other merit redress Sport Lotteries accepts of gaming; as well as collaborate with the Sport Commission.
On prohibition, Kansunmu stated that “as earlier mentioned by Hon. Olowo, the Bill seek to promote the prohibition of underage children in participating in such online games, because of the exposure.”
After contributions by Members, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, committed the Bill to the House Committee on Finance to report back in two weeks.