Govt, 25 states adopt a unified gaming advertising framework

The Federal Government and 25 federating states have agreed to adopt a unified gaming advertising framework in a bid to sanitise the gaming industry of fraudsters.

The agreement was signed in Abuja yesterday when the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federating States Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN).

The Director-General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo signed for the Federal Government while the Chairman of FSGRN, Basiru Are stood in for the federating states, with the sole aim of streamlining advertising and marketing communications within the lottery and gaming industry.

Speaking to reporters after the signing of the MoU, Fadolapo stressed that the primary goal of the agreement is the creation of a single, coherent framework for a sector that demands constant stakeholder collaboration.

He noted that the partnership would eliminate the friction caused by overlapping functions and the previous “silo” approach to regulation.

The ARCON boss said that the council has identified critical touchpoints and common denominators to ensure the new system benefits operators and the public alike.

He explained that while the constitution reserves certain powers for the federal government, the overlap with state interests in the gaming sector often creates regulatory challenges.

According to him, “as a federal agency with oversight powers, ARCON’s cooperation with the states is essential to sanitize the industry and protect the national economy.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the FSGRN, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are, stated that the partnership is a practical application of true federalism.

He maintained that the move by both the federal and the subnationals aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s policy direction, which encourages synergy among the federating entities.

Stressing the importance of the agreement Are said: “Since most gaming operators utilize television, radio and digital platforms – all of which fall under federal advertising control – a formal partnership was the logical step to ensure sanity in the industry.”

He further said the collaborative model is not unique to Nigeria. “Our framework is not only unique to Nigeria. In any federal system of government around the world, in the gaming sector, Switzerland, Canada, United States, we have the same framework where states work together as partners, and as collaborators with the government at the center,” Are said.

The Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) currently comprises Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Ebonyi, Gombe and Imo states

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Others are Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Taraba states.