Oyo State governor backs gaming industry development with stronger consumer safeguards
The governor said legitimate gaming businesses should be allowed to expand within the law, while regulators maintain consistent enforcement and protect consumers.
Key takeaways:
- Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, said gaming regulation should support legitimate businesses rather than create unnecessary barriers.
- Licensing compliance, illegal operations and inadequate industry reporting were identified as the main areas requiring attention.
- Makinde said the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board should strengthen its supervisory capacity and ensure consistent enforcement.
- The governor said online platforms and mobile applications require closer attention to cybersecurity, transaction monitoring and consumer protection.
- The remarks were made at the seventh Annual Stakeholders’ Interactive Forum, organised by the Board in Ibadan.
Nigeria.- Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged a balanced approach to gaming regulation in the state, arguing that commercial growth must go hand in hand with accountability and public protection. Speaking at the seventh Annual Stakeholders’ Interactive Forum organised by the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board in Ibadan, Makinde said regulation should support legitimate businesses rather than create unnecessary barriers to their operations.
Represented by secretary to the state government Professor Musibau Babatunde, the governor said the state wanted to encourage economic activity in the gaming sector without compromising consumer protection and regulatory accountability. He identified licensing compliance, illegal operations and inadequate industry reporting as areas requiring attention, warning that operators who disregard regulatory requirements could undermine fair competition and weaken confidence in the market.
What did Makinde ask of the regulator and operators?
Makinde called on the Board to strengthen its supervisory capacity and ensure consistent enforcement of regulatory requirements. He also urged operators to maintain valid licences, keep accurate business records and meet their statutory obligations.
What risks did the governor highlight in online gaming?
Addressing the regulatory challenges associated with digital gaming, the governor noted that the expansion of online platforms and mobile applications had created commercial opportunities but required closer attention to cybersecurity, transaction monitoring and consumer protection.
He also stressed the need for operators and regulators to prioritise player protection, particularly by preventing underage gambling and addressing risks to vulnerable individuals. Commercial expansion, he said, should not come at the expense of public welfare.
What did the annual stakeholders’ forum cover?
Board director-general Olajide Boladuro said the annual forum brought together regulators, government representatives and gaming operators to address issues shaping the industry’s development. Discussions also covered the impact of regulation on industry growth, corporate social responsibility and the state of igaming regulation in Nigeria.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What did Oyo State’s governor say about gaming regulation? Seyi Makinde said regulation should support legitimate gaming businesses rather than create unnecessary barriers, while maintaining accountability and consumer protection. He said commercial growth should not come at the expense of public welfare.
- Which regulatory issues did Makinde identify in Oyo State’s gaming sector? He identified licensing compliance, illegal operations and inadequate industry reporting. He said operators should maintain valid licences, keep accurate business records and meet their statutory obligations.
- What did the governor say about online gaming in Oyo State? He said the expansion of online platforms and mobile applications had created commercial opportunities but required closer attention to cybersecurity, transaction monitoring and consumer protection, including the prevention of underage gambling.
- Who regulates gaming in Oyo State? Gaming is regulated by the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, headed by Olajide Boladuro, its director-general. The Board holds an annual forum that brings together regulators, government representatives and gaming operators.
