Hardship: Lagos govt to tackle poverty with lottery, gaming
Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu has said the state would use lottery and gaming to take Lagosians out of poverty in the face of economic hardship facing the country.
At the maiden edition of the Africa Gaming Expo, AGE, ‘Exploring the Future of the Africa Gaming Market: Emerging Trends, Prospects and Opportunities,’ held on Wednesday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, the governor said the lottery industry can be used to revitalise the social economic situation of the country.
” This industry can be used to revitalise the social economy of our country and be a springboard for social transformation,” he said.
He added that in spite of the negative narratives surrounding the lottery business , it can ‘transform the life of the vulnerables and the weak in society,’ adding it was part of the economic agenda and priorities of the state government.
Governor Sanwo-Olu further said the gaming industry in Africa is estimated at $7.8billion, and Lagos being the commercial and entertainment capital of Africa is committed to the development of the nation’s tourism sector through entertainment and cultural export as well as increase the state’s share of the African gaming market to at least 30%.
The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Lagos Gaming and Lottery Authority, Bashir Are said gaming is about entertainment and tourism adding that Lagos State is ready to mitigate the negative impression about gaming
He called on operators to imbibe international best practices through responsible gaming system
He further said the state is making moves to curb underage gambling through existing regulations as well as embarking on advocacy.
Some of.the international participants include the International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA), Gambling Commission, United Kingdom, Malta Gaming Authority, Botswana Gambling Authority, Ghana Gaming Commission, and the Deputy Governor, County of Narok, Kenya.
