Lagos gives MTN, Airtel, others 30 days to verify betting firms’ licences

The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority has issued a 30-day deadline to mobile network operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, 9mobile, and licensed value-added service providers, to verify the licensing and tax compliance status of gaming businesses utilizing their platforms. This directive demands the submission of transaction records, carrier billing data, and revenue sharing information for gaming operators from November 22, 2024, to the date of the authority's notice.

Operators and VAS providers are also instructed to cease onboarding gaming businesses without valid state licensing and suspend existing gaming services that lack proper authorization. The records will be used to ascertain gaming taxes, statutory levies, and other payments owed by affected operators, encompassing applicable penalties and interest.

This compliance directive, guided by provisions of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021, applies to telecommunications companies and technology intermediaries involved in facilitating gaming services, even if they are not directly operating the betting or lottery businesses. The law prohibits gaming activities without the required authorization, and Section 33(3) of the law stipulates that operating or conducting gaming activities without a valid licence is unlawful.

Additionally, Section 101(5) imposes joint liability on directors, managers, secretaries, or other principal officers of a company if gaming activities are established to have occurred with their consent or negligence. The authority urges directors and principal officers of telecommunications companies, VAS aggregators, and intermediaries to ensure their platforms are not used to facilitate unlawful gaming activities.

Non-compliance will result in the issuance of statutory notices and enforcement actions against non-compliant operators.