Lottery Regulatory Commission Allays Fear Over FIRS’s Directive On Taxes On Online Gaming Operators

The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has cleared the air on the news emanating from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that it would be collecting direct taxes from online gaming operators in Nigeria.

A press statement from the Director General of the NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila on Friday says it has become necessary to clarify the purported media report from the FIRS as the NLRC is the only agency created by the Nigerian law to regulate the lottery/gaming industry in the country, adding that online gaming operators who are duly licensed and tax complaint are not subject to the tax referred to in the latest FIRS’ directive.

The statement reads: “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:

1. Online Gaming Operators in Nigeria who are duly licensed and tax compliant are not subject to the tax referred to in the aforesaid publication;
2. 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”.