The Director General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, said the gaming sector, held the key to economic growth, which he described as “a potent tool for addressing the pressing issues of unemployment and low per capita income.

Gbajabiamila made this at the just concluded 2023 International Gaming Conference which was held in Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, October 31 and November 1, 2023

The two-Day conference was theme; “Innovation and Disruption: Core Strategies For Success”.

It was the first international Gaming Conference in Nigeria hosting lottery and gaming industry giants from Australia, Botswana, Ghana, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and other countries around the world.

Speaking at the conference, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission DG opined that the gaming and lottery sector has the capacity to grow the country’s economy if given the needed attention.

He noted that the time to take the gaming sector to greater heights is now, as it would enable it contribute its quota to the growth of the economy.

’’The gaming sector we believe holds the key to economic growth and it is a potent tool for addressing the pressing issues of unemployment and low per Capita income.” He stated.

Gbajabiamila said that the dynamism of gaming now had ushered in the advent of technology, creating a digital era, adding that it has fundamentally reshaped how people engage and perceive the gaming industry.

In his words “The digital era has fundamentally reshaped how we perceive and engage in the gaming industry. This transformation has brought challenges and opportunities, making it increasingly complex for any state to exert regulatory control. Regulatory bodies and stakeholders must adapt to this new landscape to ensure the continued integrity and security of the gaming industry”.

Speaking, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, called for more collaborations among the operators of the industry to ensure a steady growth of the gaming industry in the country.

“Government will do all it’s executive power to ensure that the gaming industry remain on the steady growth. I encourage all the operators to strengthen their collaboration to consolidate the progress made in taking gaming industry to greater heights,” Jisalo said.

Mr Jisalo added that the objective of the 2023 International Gaming Conference was laudable and deserved commendations from all worthy stakeholders in the gaming industry.