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Lagos, UK Unite to Combat Online Gambling Crisis

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he Lagos State Government has partnered with the United Kingdom in a bold effort to combat illegal gambling in Nigeria.

This collaboration, established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to curb illegal gaming activities and strengthen regulatory enforcement across borders.

Signed during the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) conference in Rome, Italy, the agreement marks a critical step toward tighter gaming regulations.

With Nigeria’s increasing internet use, the number of online gambling platforms is also growing, often without proper regulation or oversight.

The rapid expansion of the internet in Nigeria has made it easier for illegal operators to reach consumers, leading to rising concerns about unregulated gambling.

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Many of these online gambling platforms operate outside Nigeria’s legal framework, taking advantage of regulatory gaps to avoid detection.

Bashir Are, CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), has highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting the extent of unregulated operations and the damage they cause.

“Illegal online gambling is a global problem, generating billions of dollars annually in unregulated markets,” Are said.

He emphasized the need for international cooperation in tackling the issue, pointing out that global action is necessary to make a real impact on the industry.

Through this partnership, Lagos will gain insight into the UK’s regulatory practices, allowing it to enhance its oversight over gambling activities.

By leveraging the UK’s expertise in monitoring and enforcement, Lagos hopes to build a more robust regulatory framework.

The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority will be working directly with UK gaming regulatory bodies to share knowledge and resources.

Officials believe this exchange will bridge the gap in Nigeria’s gaming regulatory measures and equip local authorities to better enforce the law.

One key element of this collaboration is cross-border enforcement, enabling regulators to identify and target illegal operators who exploit regulatory loopholes across different countries.

This partnership could also attract more legitimate businesses into the Nigerian gaming industry by creating a safer, more transparent environment.

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As Lagos aims to become a gaming hub in Africa, this collaboration signals a commitment to upholding regulatory standards and protecting consumers from exploitation.

In the long term, officials hope to see a cleaner, safer gaming environment in Lagos and, by extension, across Nigeria.

With Lagos positioned as a leader in this regulatory initiative, the partnership is expected to set a standard for other African regions facing similar challenges.

Bashir Are believes this move will not only address illegal gambling but also bring significant benefits to the economy.

“A regulated industry brings opportunities for job creation, revenue generation, and investment,” Are remarked.

Illegal gambling, he added, deprives the economy of potential revenue and creates risks for consumers who engage with unregulated platforms.

The UK’s contribution in knowledge-sharing and enforcement practices will support Lagos in developing more efficient and targeted regulatory actions.

UK officials are optimistic that their collaboration with Lagos could serve as a model for similar partnerships across Africa.

Through targeted regulation, the Lagos-UK partnership aims to eliminate the damaging influence of illegal gambling while enhancing consumer safety.

This collaboration could change the landscape of Nigeria’s gambling industry, steering it toward greater accountability and consumer protection.

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