The resolution was passed on June 23 after the lower chamber of the National Assembly approved a motion made by Ibrahim Isiaka, a member who represents the Ifo/Ewekoro constituency in the 9th National Assembly.

The legislator from Ogun State stated in the motion that the global gaming sector is unquestionably enormous and is expected to earn between $400 and $500 billion annually  if current trends continue, by 2022.

He noted that with rising profits from online gaming in all of its forms, the platform is expected to be valued at roughly $565 billion.

Isiaka voiced concern about the fact that most customers are anonymous and pointed out that it would be dangerous to have bad data given the volume of transactions.

Given that age and identity verification is a major barrier to entry for customers at age-restricted organizations like casinos and online gaming platforms, there is a rising demand for these verifications in virtual contexts to safeguard both the customers and the operators.

The lawmaker was quoted as saying during a plenary, “It is imperative for regulators to place a premium on data security of gamers and gaming operators and one readily available way to achieve this is to integrate the National identity Numbers (NIN) into the data collection of both new and existing customers.”

Isiaka’s colleagues accepted his motion without any reservations.

Since then, the House has given the National Lottery Regulatory Commission instructions to make sure that all Nigerian gaming companies employ the National Identity (NIN) in their data collection.

The Committee on Governmental Affairs was tasked by the House to oversee compliance.

Recall that the Federal Government had sometimes in May through the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), vowed to weed out some Sports betting companies in the country.

The decision was taken when it was found that certain sports betting businesses were operating in Lagos State with fake licenses.

In a statement provided to media via the NLRC’s spokesperson, Magnus Ekechukwu, Director-General Lanre Gbajabiamila stated several officials of the defaulting enterprises had been detained and would be used as a scapegoat for others still lurking around.

According to Gbajabiamila, the Commission would use every legal tool at its disposal to root out any illegal elements working inside the Nigerian gaming sector.

He emphasized that the prosecution of the detained individuals is intended to act as a deterrence to those who might be harboring similar thoughts.