By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The Director General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila has cleared the air on the recent publications on various media platforms purportedly emanating from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on the proposed tax on Online Gaming Operators in Nigeria.
The Commission’s position on the said publications made by FIRS was contained in a press statement signed by D-G, NLRC, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila read in parts:
“The attention of the Management of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has been drawn to several publications on various media platforms purportedly emanating from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with the caption “FIRS COMMENCES DIRECT COLLECTION OF TAXES FROM ONLINE GAMING OPERATORS”.
“These press articles have created uncertainty, panic and confusion in the Gaming Industry in Nigeria as to the propriety and justification of this new tax regime.
“Therefore, it has become necessary for the NLRC as the Agency created by law to regulate Lottery/Gaming in Nigeria to make the following clarifications:
a. Online Gaming Operators in Nigeria who are duly licensed and tax compliant are not subject to the tax referred to in the aforesaid publication;
b. The FIRS press release only applies to REMOTE GAMING OPERATORS operating strictly outside the jurisdiction of Nigeria.
“The NLRC deeply regrets any misconceptions these publications have caused to our esteemed Gaming Operators and other stakeholders in the industry in Nigeria”.
