From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ABAKILIKI
Enugu State government is set to reposition Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission for effective regulation, responsible gaming and lottery eco-system.
Executive Secretary of the commission, Prince Arinze Arum told newsmen yesterday in Enugu that the repositioning was to ensure that residents are not shortchanged as they participate in gaming and lottery activities.
Arum said the commission is out to see that both gaming and lottery (lotto) companies abide by laid down procedures and agreement with members of the public that participate in playing the games and being part of a lottery.
He said all functions of the commission would be fully digitalised as part of government’s vision to reposition the commission to meet anticipated state economic growth from $4 billion to $30 billion.
The executive secretary said the commission had embarked on advocacy for attitudinal change among residents on some negative perception against positive gaming culture.
Arum noted that the commission is also taking a wide-reach sensitisation to check “gaming addiction” on the part of youths.
According to him, the commission is implementing a clear cut confidence renewal strategy on getting more people on board as it concerns positive attitude towards gaming and lottery meant to uplift the livelihood of residents positively.
He also said gaming and lottery have huge potentials for youth employment, adding that there are potentials to create thousands of gaming retail outlets (umbrella-tents, kiosks and shop outlets) within neighbourhoods and communities.
On the forthcoming international conference on gaming and lottery; he said gaming companies from the United States of America and South Africa had indicated interest to fully participate in the one-day conference, which is the first of its kind in the South-East.
