FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY LOTTERY REGULATORY OFFICE (FCT-LRO)

Office of the Director-General

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR GAMING OPERATORS AND THE PUBLIC.

The Federal Capital Territory Lottery Regulatory Office (FCT-LRO) is letting gaming operators and everyone know that it has started full operations. This office is responsible for overseeing, regulating, and supervising gaming activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

1. REGULATORY JURISDICTION

After the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Attorney-General of Lagos State & 21 Others v. Attorney-General of the Federation & 15 Others, Suit No. SC/1/2008, the rules about regulating lotteries and gaming are clearer now. According to Section 299 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the FCT has a special constitutional status. The National Assembly has the power to make laws that are usually given to a State House of Assembly.

So, gaming operators working in the FCT must follow the rules for licensing and regulation set by the FCT-LRO and engage with this office for all regulatory issues.

2. ONLINE GAMING OPERATIONS

The FCT-LRO explains that the Supreme Court judgment did not fully define the rules for online gaming. The ruling did not say that any State has complete control over the online gaming market.

As a result, the online gaming market is still open for operators and investors. They can choose which regulator they want to get their gaming licence or authorisation from. This choice can depend on their business model and what they think is best for their operations.

Operators should know that just because a gaming platform is online does not mean they are free from the licensing and regulatory rules that apply to them. The FCT-LRO is dedicated to providing a clear and reliable regulatory environment for digital gaming in the Federal Capital Territory.

3. NOTICE TO FORMER NLRC LICENSEES

All gaming operators who were licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and are currently working or planning to work in the FCT must contact the FCT-LRO to sort out their regulatory status.

The office says that any NLRC licence that is still valid will be accepted for its remaining time and converted to the FCT-LRO licence. This means that holders of old NLRC licences will keep the benefits of their unexpired terms, as long as they follow the regularisation process set by the FCT-LRO.

Affected operators need to present their old NLRC licences for verification. They must complete the regularisation steps and get the correct FCT gaming licence. All operators must start this process within 7 days after this notice is published.

4. RECOGNISED FCT-LRO OPERATORS

For public knowledge and transparency, the following operators are currently recognised as licensed operators in the FCT:

(INSERT LIST)

The public is encouraged to check the licensing status of gaming operators before using their services.

5. OFFICIAL CONTACT DETAILS

For all licensing applications, questions about regulations, compliance issues, and official correspondence, please reach out to the FCT-LRO at:

Office Address: 2B Embu Crescent, Ishaku Rabiu Estate, Off AminuKano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Telephone: +234 802 347 6076 / +234 813 052 5876

Email: [email protected]

The FCT-LRO is committed to supporting responsible gaming, protecting consumers, and ensuring a transparent and inviting gaming industry in the Federal Capital Territory.

All operators and stakeholders should take note and make sure to comply.