Mr Adolphus Ekpe, the Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), said on Tuesday that the agency would soon clamp down on fraudulent operators polluting the system.

Ekpe said this at a joint press briefing by the NLRC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

He said it would no longer be business as usual for fraudulent lottery operators in the country.

Ekpe said that the commission, with the help of other collaborating agencies, would soon commence action against defrauding agents and sub-agents.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all lottery agents and sub-agents who failed to register with the commission while the mapping exercise lasted have violated the National Lottery Act.

“They already declared themselves illegal operators, hence the enforcement hammer will descend heavily on them.”

Ekpe said that the mapping exercise, which allowed operators to regularise their operations, commenced in February and had since elapsed on March 31.

He said following the exercise, it is now become compulsory for illegal operators to regularise their dealings.

The director-general added that the activation of the newly developed NLRC SMS Transaction and Archival Platform (STRAMAP) would be the first stage of the automation of the commission’s operations.

He said that the platform sought to consolidate all SMS-based lotteries, including those run by the telecommunications companies for online real-time monitoring.

“Part of our appeal today is to advise all operators and companies involved in any form of SMS-based lottery to willingly migrate to the STRAMAP or face enforcement action.

“The NLRC, together with EFCC and other enforcement agencies, will not fold its arms and watch the lottery industry being over-run by illegal operators or any recalcitrant licensee.”

Ekpe said that this would ensure that 50 per cent proceed from lottery schemes, was used as winnings and prizes while 20 per cent would be remitted to the coffers of the Federal Government.

On his part, the Acting EFCC Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, said the commission remained committed to helping the country to get rid of persons capable of jeopadising national interest.

He called on lottery stakeholders to demonstrate patriotism by playing lottery the right way.

“I call on those involved in illegal lottery business to approach the lottery commission so as to regularise their operations.

“For the licensed lottery operators, you have been told to certify your agents and sub-agents; you have been told to migrate willingly to the NLRC STRAMAP.

“Play by the rules as anyone caught contravening the law will not be spared.” (NAN)

•Photo shows lotto kiosk.

Update news