Changes in gaming laws may be coming to Lagos. The state is proposing a new virtual betting bill that will combine all state gambling laws.
If the law passes, operators would be taxed N20 million, or $51,000 USD. This includes sportsbooks, pools, and lotteries, thus all gambling goods.
After a public hearing before the State House of Assembly, this measure will now be considered for approval and implementation.
Interestingly, before granting a license, the authorities would need to confirm that the operator is a Nigerian registered corporation. It would be fascinating to observe how this impacts online gaming and if corporations build headquarters in Lagos in the future years.
The essential point with this measure is that it would integrate all present gaming legislation. For example, the Lagos State Lotteries Statute of 2008, the same law from 2004, and many others addressing casino gambling, pool betting, and more would be superseded by the new law when it comes into effect.
This is definitely a big step that might define the future of gaming in Nigeria.
Both the speaker and deputy speaker of the Assembly said that measures like this helped build the country’s democracy.
The law must reflect public opinion. It must understand what people want and work together to achieve it. The new law has 109 provisions that address three primary rules. The results are what people desire and the region wants.
This includes cybersecurity and whether local technology can aid with that, a worry many individuals had while gambling in Lagos. This all comes at a cost, which will be passed on to local entrepreneurs.
They must first get a sports betting license before they can begin offering virtual betting.
It will be intriguing to see what occurs, particularly how quickly it happens. This measure would revolutionize the way Lagos gambling operates and is financed for the foreseeable future.