Enugu State Govt Tightens Regulatory Grip, Ushers in New Era for Gaming and Lottery in Enug

Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has once again demonstrated decisive leadership and reform-driven governance with the signing into law of the Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Commission Law, 2025, a landmark legislation set to completely overhaul and sanitise the gaming and lottery sector in the state.

The bold reform, which signals another major policy milestone under the Mbah administration, was formally unveiled on December 17, 2025, at a press briefing held at the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission Boardroom. Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, described the Governor’s action as a courageous break from outdated systems and a strategic move to align Enugu with global best practices in gaming regulation.

According to him, the new law repeals the obsolete Gaming Commission Law, Cap 86 of the Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, and replaces it with a modern, transparent, and investor-friendly framework that establishes the Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Commission with far-reaching regulatory and enforcement powers.

Arum noted that Governor Mbah’s vision is anchored on order, accountability, and public interest, stressing that the administration has made it clear that economic growth must be pursued without compromising ethics, social responsibility, or public safety.

A major pillar of the reform is the empowerment of Gaming Inspectors, who are now statutorily authorised to operate as active enforcers rather than passive regulators. Under the new law, inspectors can carry out unannounced inspections, access records and software, search premises, seize equipment, seal illegal operations, and work with law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute offenders.

He explained that this decisive enforcement mechanism reflects Governor Mbah’s zero-tolerance stance on regulatory abuse and economic sabotage, ensuring that Enugu’s gaming space is orderly, transparent, and free from criminal exploitation.

Beyond enforcement, the law introduces one of the strongest consumer protection regimes in Nigeria’s gaming industry. Licensed operators are now mandated to implement self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, cooling-off periods, transparent disclosure of risks and odds, strict prohibition of underage participation, and timely resolution of customer complaints.

In further demonstration of Governor Mbah’s people-centred governance philosophy, the law establishes the Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Commission Charitable Trust Fund, designed to ensure that revenues from gaming are channelled back to the people. Arum disclosed that 50 per cent of unclaimed winnings, alongside a dedicated Good Cause Levy, will be invested in critical sectors such as health, education, security, and infrastructure across the state.

On licensing, the Commission boss said the Governor has raised the bar significantly, making it clear that only serious, credible, and compliant operators will be allowed to do business in Enugu. The new regime demands substantial capital investment, strong local content participation, rigorous fit-and-proper tests for operators and key staff, certification of all gaming equipment and software, and full compliance with anti-money laundering and financial reporting standards.

Existing operators, he added, will be given a defined transitional window to reapply and align with the