Bill to regulate online gaming scales second reading at Benue Assembly

A bill to regulate online gaming and to boost revenue on Wednesday passed second reading at the Benue State House of Assembly.

Leading the debate, the House Majority Leader, Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), said that the Assembly wanted to repeal the Sports Marketing and Lotteries Board Law of 2017.

Dugeri said that law should be replaced with a more comprehensive legal framework aimed at regulating online lotteries, gaming and sports marketing activities in the state.

The majority leader stated that the proposed legislation sought to modernise the state’s gaming regulatory framework in response to the rapid growth of digital betting, mobile gaming and online lottery platforms.

Dugeri explained that the 2017 law was designed for a largely brick-and-mortar era and no longer reflected the realities of the modern gaming industry, which had shifted significantly to digital platforms.

According to him, the proposed Benue State Lotteries, Public Online Lotteries, Gaming and Sports Marketing Board Law intends to create a future system capable of regulating online operators, blocking revenue leakages and protecting residents participating in gaming activities.

He noted that one of the key provisions of the bill was the explicit regulation of online lotteries and gaming platforms operating through internet services and mobile applications within the state.

The majority leader further stated that the legislation would strengthen revenue generation through improved fiscal oversight of operators in the multi-billion naira gaming industry, ensuring the state received appropriate taxes and licensing fees.

He added that the bill contained responsible gaming provisions aimed at preventing underage gambling and compelling operators to maintain transparent payout systems for participants.

Dugeri also said the proposed law would empower the regulatory board with modern investigative and enforcement mechanisms to tackle illegal and unlicensed gaming operators exploiting gaps in existing regulations.

He stressed that increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, from the sector would help the government meet critical developmental needs across the state.

Contributing to the debate, Kennedy Angbo (APC/Otukpo-Akpa) seconded the motion for the bill to scale to second reading.

Angbo described lottery and gaming as a multi-million-dollar venture, saying the proposed law would help regulate online gaming activities and protect minors from participating in gambling.

Also contributing, Matthew Damkor (APC/Tiev) said that the bill would significantly strengthen the state’s revenue base if passed into law.

Damkor described the legislation as a noble initiative and called for accelerated passage by the house.

The Speaker, Alfred Emberga, directed the Clerk, Bem Mela, to read the bill for the second time.

After the reading, Emberga referred the bill to the House Committees on Finance, Youth and Sports for further legislative scrutiny ahead of the third reading and possible passage.