The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has shut down four gaming offices operating illegally in the state, its Executive Chairman, Dr Zaid Abubakar, has said.
Abubakar, who made this known in an interview with journalists in Kaduna on Sunday, warned that all illegal gaming offices operating in the state would be closed.
He listed the offices closed by the revenue agency as Star, Dynamic, Champion, and Sa’a Special Pool.
“The clamp down on illegal operators will continue until all unregistered gaming operators are fished out,” he added.
Abubakar explained that the government was not against against the activities of gaming companies in the state, stressing that, “all that was required was for the companies to operate legally.”
According to him, the companies must register, obtain licences, and pay all taxes due to the state as specified in the state’s tax law.
“The Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020, as amended, mandates gaming companies to register and obtain a licence before operating in the state.
“Section 86 of the law mandated that any gaming company wishing to operate in the state should, upon payment of non-refundable N400,000 registration fee, apply in writing for an operating license.
“Section 91 also imposed a 10 per cent tax on every stake money and the winning amount which should be promptly deducted and remitted monthly to KADIRS by every licensed gaming company in the state.
“It is, therefore, in the best interest of the gaming companies to come to KADIRS and duly register their companies and obtain license to operate,” the Chairman said.
Recall that KADIRS had in September 2020 commenced shutting down of all gaming companies operating illegally in the state and for withholding taxes.
The Head of Gaming at KADIRS, Mr Liye Anthony, had said that 52 gaming offices were shut down, with 48 offices completely closed down as at September 2020.
“We will continue to go after all unregistered gaming offices until they legalise their operations in Kaduna State,” Anthony said.