By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Gaming and Lottery operators in Oyo State have been warned to desist from illegal operation in the state or face the full wrath of the law.
Rather, the government advised gaming operators to make sure they obtain the licence and necessary documents before embarking on any operation to forestall embarrassment, locking and sealing of their business premises.
The Director-General, Oyo State Gaming Board, Mr Olajide Boladuro gave the warning in a remark with newsmen shortly after an enforcement exercise embarked upon by the Board.
The operation saw no fewer than five gaming and lottery shops sealed up due to the failure to get all the required operational licenses.
Boladuro frowned at how some operators are taking the enabling environment provided by Governor Seyi Makinde for granted by operating illegally despite several letters of warning served on them by the Board, urging them to desist from such act.
The Director-General said “We have always told various operators in the state, the fact that an enabling environment has been made possible by Governor Seyi Makinde does not give room for illegality. All gaming and lottery centres operators must obtain the licence and other documents stated by the law before embarking on the business.
“Investigating and surveillance team of the Board have been out for quite some months to ascertain the illegality as suspected. After our discovery, a series of letters and correspondence were served to them to come and do the needful and regularise their documents but they turned a deaf ear.
“Usually, those working for the organisation should be arrested but we decided to lock and seal their premises and also confiscate the devices used for the business, hoping that they would take the right steps.”
He further used the opportunity to send messages to other illegal operators to desist from such acts and obtain their licence, stressing that the good gesture and business-friendly environment made available by the Governor should be compensated and appreciated by operating business according to the law of the state.
During the exercise, the operators were allowed to present their Licence of Operation but they were unable to do so which prompted the locking and sealing of the business centres.
Among the areas covered during the exercise are Beere and Mokola environs.
