The announcement was made on Wednesday in the capital of Abuja by Lanre Gbajabiamila<\/strong>, Director General of the FCT Lottery Regulatory Commission (FCT-LRO)<\/strong>, marking a significant turning point in Abuja’s efforts to assert control over gaming operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gbajabiamila told media the new framework follows a recent Supreme Court judgment<\/strong> affirming FCTA’s jurisdiction over gaming activities within the territory. With this legal backing, the FCT-LRO is now the central regulatory body, taking over from previous state-level structure and working closely with the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS)<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gbajabiamila said the new framework will not disrupt existing operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll valid licences issued previously remain operational under the FCT-LRO. There is no need for reapplication. The only change is jurisdiction. Operators will now report to the FCT authorities,\u201d said Gbajabiamila, according to The Vanguard publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He reassured stakeholders and said part of the reform was a digital identity verification system. This would be linked to Tax Identification Numbers (TINs)<\/strong> and is being developed to ensure only eligible participants can access casino and lottery games<\/strong>. Minors and unverified users will be automatically restricted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is zero tolerance for underage gambling. Any operator caught allowing minors to participate will be penalised. We are building a gaming environment based on responsibility, regulation and fairness,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This new framework is a clear sign of Abuja’s rising ambitions to become Africa’s new entertainment hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FCT-LRO is already engaged with global tech giants like Google <\/strong>to enforce recognition of its regulatory authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have met with Google and addressed the concerns. Every state, including the FCT, has legal jurisdiction over gaming within its borders. The era of one-state dominance is over,\u201d Gbajabiamila said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Backing the reforms, Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT-IRS, Michael Ango<\/strong>, underscored the economic potential of a tightly regulated industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGaming is more than just recreation – it\u2019s a tool for economic development if properly managed. We are working with FCT-LRO to ensure proper oversight, efficient tax collection and, most importantly, the protection of vulnerable groups, especially minors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe future of gaming in Abuja is not just bright, it is strategic. With regulation, innovation and collaboration, the FCT is now ready for global attention,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\nLicensing remains operational<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Engagement with Google<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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