State game regulators reject National Gaming Bill 2022
By Seth Akande
The Association of State Gaming Regulators (ASGR) has rejected the National Gaming Bill, 2020 by the National Assembly.
This is even as the ASGR Chairman, Mr Bashir Abiola Are, harped on fairness and justice while calling on the National Assembly to cease all plans to pass the National Lottery Bill 2020 pending the determination of legal proceedings at the Supreme Court.
The proposed Gaming Bill, 2020 aims to repeal the National Lottery Act, 2005 and harmonise all existing Federal Laws regulating to Lottery and its related activities.
A statement signed by the ASGR Chairman, Mr Bashir Abiola Are, revealed that having reviewed the provisions of the proposed Gaming Bill, the association rejected it on the condition of its “constitutionality and legality.”
He said, “The ASGR has reviewed the provisions of the proposed Gaming Bill, 2020 and have grave concerns regarding the constitutionality and legality of the said Bill in the face of existing laws on Lotteries and Gaming particularly the provisions of the Sec 4 (7) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as numerous judicial decisions.”
In his words, “It is, therefore, our position at the Association of State Gaming Regulators (ASGR) that Lottery and its related activities in the federating States are matters within the legislative competence of the respective State House of an of Assembly and that the National Assembly need not violate the 1999 constitution (as amended) by enacting a National Gaming Act or by the establishment of a National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).
“Accordingly and further to our position above, member states of the AGSR, in a bid to resolve on a permanent note this Jurisdictional tussle has approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Suit No: SC/1/2008 Attorney General of Lagos State V The Attorney General of Federation & National Assembly for a judicial interpretation of the intendment of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) as concerning Lottery and related Gaming activities and the regulatory authority as it relates to same.
“This matter came up on the 6th October, 2020 and was adjourned to the 19th day of October, 2021. It was further adjourned due to the fact that the 19th October, 2021 happened to be a public holiday for the Id-El-Molud.
“We are certain of the commitment of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly to fairness, justice and the rights of ordinary citizens in Nigeria and therefore we entreat that the National Assembly discontinues all steps geared towards passing the National Lottery Bill 2020 pending the determination of legal proceedings at the Supreme Court and repeal the National Lottery Act, 2005,” he added.
