By Manasseh Akawe
As part of efforts to reposition the Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board (BSSMLB) and make it a major player in the gaming and lottery industry, a delegation from the board has met with the management of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) to tap into their wealth of experience.
The meeting held recently, at the LSLGA headquarters, Lagos Revenue House, Assbifi Rd, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Executive Secretary of BSSMLB, Hon. Michael Uper, stated that meeting was aimed at gathering ideas and strategies to help the BSSMLB institute global best practices and leverage technology to make Benue State the hub for all lottery and gaming activities in Nigeria. “The Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board under my leadership is undergoing repositioning, and this meeting is to help us tap into the experience of the LSLGA,” he said.
The BSSMLB delegation sought information and clarification on various aspects of the gaming and lottery industry, including revenue collection automation, online licenses, and the legal framework backing up revenue collection automation. They also inquired about strategies for effective regulation and management of the industry, the use of IT in regulating the industry, enforcement and monitoring strategies, and more.
Mr. Gadafi Asemanya, Head of Enforcement and Monitoring and Justin Iorshaeger, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics of BSSMLB, praised the LSLGA as a pioneer gaming and lottery regulator in the country. “We want to tap into the technologies and strategies you have been using in your agency for optimal performance,” he said.
In response, the LSLGA team shared their experience in the industry, strategies, and machinery in place for effective operations. They also educated the BSSMLB delegation on how to manage the gaming industry in line with global best practices and generate revenue for the state.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LSLGA, Mr. Basbir Are, represented by Bar. Mrs Adetoun Adeyemi, commended the BSSMLB delegation for taking the right steps towards repositioning. However, he emphasized the need for an amendment to the existing law guiding the BSSMLB to accommodate global practices. “It will be difficult for the board to effectively operate as the present law does not give room for most of the things they should be doing as a regulatory agency,” he said.
The LSLGA team also stressed the importance of independence for the BSSMLB, noting that the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority is an independent agency that generates its revenue and decides on how it is spent. “For the Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board to perform effectively, it must be given independence,” they said.
On the ongoing gaming bill in the National Assembly, the LSLGA team expressed confidence that the gaming and lottery industry is ready to defend its position. “The constitution gives only state governments the power to legislate and regulate the gaming and lottery industry in their respective states. The bill will not work,” they said.
Hon. Uper expressed gratitude to the LSLGA leadership for the opportunity to interact with them. “The knowledge we have gathered here will help us reposition our board,” he said.
The meeting is expected to have a significant impact on the activities of the BSSMLB in Benue State, as the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority is a pioneer gaming regulatory board in Africa and one of the biggest revenue-generating agencies in Lagos State and Nigeria.(www.krestnews.com).