The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched a new regulatory framework for the gaming industry in Abuja, aimed at creating opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the sector.
The initiative, led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, was unveiled by the Director General of the FCT Lottery Regulatory Office, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, during a joint press briefing with the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS).
This strategic move follows a Supreme Court ruling that empowered the FCTA to oversee gaming and lottery operations within the territory. The new regulation provides clarity and stability for existing and potential MSME operators by ensuring a transparent and supportive business environment.
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Gbajabiamila emphasized that the administration is committed to helping small businesses in the gaming sector thrive by fostering a framework built on investment, fairness, and responsible gaming. Existing licenses issued by the now-defunct National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) will remain valid, ensuring a smooth transition for operators.
The Acting Chairman of the FCT-IRS, Mr. Michael Ango, highlighted the potential of the gaming industry to serve as a catalyst for MSME-driven economic growth. He noted that Abuja's growing status as a leisure and tourist destination offers new revenue opportunities for small-scale gaming enterprises.
This regulatory shift presents an avenue for MSMEs to participate actively in a formally recognized and structured gaming economy, thereby boosting employment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and contributing to local economic development within the FCT.
