House Asks Lottery Commission to Ensure Integration of NIN in Data by Gaming Operators

Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives has urged the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to ensure that all gaming operators in Nigeria are integrated into the National Identity Number (NIN) in their data collection.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion titled “Need for Gaming Operators to Integrate National Identity Number (NIN) for Verification and Identification of Customers,” sponsored by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka.

Moving the motion, Isiaka noted that the global gaming market is undoubtedly a huge one estimated to generate between $400 and $500 billion yearly and could hit $565 billion in 2022 with increasing amounts of revenues coming from online gaming in its many forms.

He said that when such large amounts of money are exchanged and transacted quickly through relatively anonymous interactions, there is a significant risk that criminals would be tempted to use the situation for money laundering.

He said: “Mindful that with age-restricted businesses like casinos and online gaming platforms, the critical barrier to entry for customers is age and identity verification, therefore there is an increased need for such verifications in virtual situations in order to secure both the customers and the operators. Cognisant that one of the basic purposes of the National identity Number is for identification, as it not only serves to identify the individual holder but also curbs duplication of identities.

“Convinced that 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.”

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Governmental Affairs to ensure compliance.