Nigeria Enugu State—To regulate the local gambling market, the Enugu State Gambling and Lottery Commission (ESGLC) recently carried out enforcement actions against several unlicensed entertainment venues, sealing a large number of illegal cumulative jackpot slot machines.
This crackdown was initiated based on public reports, and ESGLC conducted surprise inspections at several entertainment venues including Guaranty Resort, Ballroom, Edge Guest House, Eclipse Resort, and Desa Park City Suite/Garden, and impounded the illegal gambling equipment found on site.
It is reported that these devices were deployed by the well-known gambling operator Yanga Game, which has not yet obtained the official license from the Enugu State Gambling and Lottery Commission, and therefore does not have the legal qualification to provide any form of gambling services in the state.
ESGLC Executive Secretary Prince Arinze Arun emphasized to the media after the weekend's enforcement action that all gambling operators must obtain a legal license issued by the commission, and any behavior that evades regulation will be legally banned.
"Our duty is not only to issue licenses but also to ensure that the entire industry complies with the law," Arun said, "The new technology we use has geolocation features, which can accurately identify all legally operating companies in the state. Those who operate secretly and illegally will be eliminated from the market."
He also pointed out that this action reflects the government's firm commitment to promoting responsible gambling and warned all potential violators that enforcement actions will continue to advance until all unauthorized gambling businesses are eliminated.
Arun also introduced that in order to optimize the market environment and attract legitimate businesses, ESGLC has simplified the gambling license application process, reducing the approval time from several months to a maximum of seven working days, and has opened an online application system, allowing operators to complete registration without leaving home.
This reform also aligns with the grand strategic goal proposed by Governor Peter Mbah—to drive the growth of Enugu State's economy by seven times, reaching $30 billion. The regularization of the gambling industry is a key driving force in this strategy.
This enforcement action coincides with an important meeting of the Nigerian gambling industry scheduled to be held at the Enugu International Convention Center from July 30 to 31, where national gambling regulators, investors, and technology companies will gather to discuss the future direction, regulatory models, and technological applications of the gambling market in Nigeria and Africa.
