FG losing millions in lottery, by Akume

The Federal Government loses millions of naira as tax from revenue generated annually from the lottery and games industry, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, has said.

Akume made the observation in Lagos at the first National Gaming Conference hosted by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

He expressed concern that for 10 years the government was realising only N 1 billion yearly from the industry when other countries were recording billions of dollars as revenue.

His words: “Nigerians are among the world’s passionate sports fans supporting global sporting events.

“The 2019 reports indicate that gaming in Nigeria, including international stakeholders, generated in excess of N250 billion. Yet, revenue to the government did not exceed N1 billion for the same year. This is not only disappointed. It is unsustainable and unacceptable.’’

He noted: “As we may all be aware, the Lottery Commission was created in 2005 through the Act of the National Assembly to enable the government to properly organise the operation of lottery business in Nigeria that was hitherto an all- comers affair. Various stakeholders have made efforts to enhance revenue generation for the government through the lottery/gaming industry, however, it is saddening to note that lottery revenues continue to fall short of industry potential and expectations largely due to various conflicts of interest.”

He attributed to this to lack of regulation, adding that it was hindering the government from realising huge revenue from lottery, despite its potential as a wealth generator.

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