The Nigerian Communications Commission has signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, with provisions to deter unapproved lottery and gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, noted that the MoU, which would impact the gaming industry, was in line with the commission’s strategic vision plan, and aimed to promote fair practices in the industry for the protection of telecom consumers in relation to lottery and gaming activities.

“The initial MoU expired in 2022, amendments and modifications have been made since no MoU is cast in stone, especially given the industry’s dynamic nature,” he said.

The Director-General, NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, stated that the MoU would yield favourable outcomes in curbing illegal online gambling.

He noted how unapproved lottery and gaming activities, and practices undermined the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders.

The Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), Adeleke Adewolu, also disclosed that the MoU was designed to address recent technology information-sharing capabilities, and consumer satisfaction and to enhance areas of co-regulation in line with the Federal Government’s digital economy mandate.

According to the commission, the new MoU replaced an older one that expired in 2022.

In a statement, the NCC said, “It provides complementary approaches to deter unapproved lottery/gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing in recognition of how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets.

“Under the agreement, following requests from NLRC, NCC shall endeavour to block or disable illegal lottery gaming operators on the telecommunications service providers’ platform in Nigeria and NLRC.”