The Enugu State Government has stepped up its crackdown on unauthorized gaming activities, shutting down four unlicensed gaming outlets across the state.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to sanitize the industry and enforce regulatory compliance.
The enforcement was led by the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission, which disclosed that the targeted outlets had been operating without valid licenses and ignored several warnings to regularize their operations.
Speaking to journalists during the operation, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, emphasized that the government would not allow disregard for gaming regulations in the state.
“The Commission is charged with regulating gaming and lottery operations in Enugu State. This includes licensing operators and monitoring their activities to ensure they operate within the law,” Arum stated.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a responsible and transparent gaming environment.
“Licensed operators are part of a structured gaming ecosystem, and that begins with proper licensing. Anyone operating illegally behind the scenes is already creating problems and we will not tolerate that,” he warned.
Arum revealed that the outlets shut down during the recent raid were primarily based in lounges, bars, and hotels.
“It’s a continuous effort until we rid the state of illegal operators. So far today, we’ve shut down four outlets, and the operation continues,” he said.
Addressing concerns over due process, Arum confirmed that the affected operators were given ample notice.
“We discovered that these outlets were unlicensed. We wrote to them and engaged them, but they failed to provide verifiable information consistent with our licensing process,” he said.
“Whatever they claim to have is shrouded in fraud. If you don’t regularise your operations, we will shut you down. We’ve given them enough time.”
He further disclosed that many of the sealed outlets were run by Yanga Games Technologies, a firm not based in Enugu.
“Their business is not based in Enugu. They bring their machines into the state and operate without oversight. That is unacceptable,” Arum said.
“We are not singling out Yanga Games. We’ve also identified others like Doxx Bet, which is unknown to the Commission. We will shut down any operator found to be running without proper authorisation,” he added.
Arum stressed that the enforcement aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s economic vision, not against it.
“Governor Mbah’s vision is to grow Enugu’s economy sevenfold into a $30 billion economy. That requires entrenching the ease of doing business,” he explained.
He highlighted efforts to streamline operations in the sector.
“In our sector, we’ve simplified the licensing process. From application to approval takes no more than seven days and the entire process can be completed online.”
Arum concluded by reaffirming the Commission’s stance on regulatory enforcement.
“We won’t tolerate any attempt to circumvent that system. We know where every licensed outlet is. This enforcement exercise is about building investor confidence and ensuring that Enugu has a transparent and regulated gaming market.”
