The Nigerian House of Representatives has obligated all gaming platforms operating in Nigeria to collect NIN of all their customers. The House urged the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to ensure that all gaming operators in Nigeria integrate NIN in their data collection. This new procedure was championed by Isiaka Ibrahim (APC,Ogun) during the plenary session.
Mr. Isiaka stressed that the gaming market is worth $400 billion and is projected to be worth over $565 billion by the end of 2022.
He further argued that the collection of NIN ensures that underaged citizens are prevented from placing wagers. The NIN has the legal age of each customer therefore underaged players will be detected and barred easily.
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 to secure both the customers and the operators. 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.
Mr. Isiaka
Another pertinent reason why the submission of NIN is mandatory is to prevent money launderers from operating within the gaming atmosphere.
Mr. Isiaka also mentioned that “when such large amounts of money are exchanged and transacted quickly through relatively anonymous interactions, there is a significant risk that criminals will be tempted to use the situation for money laundering.”
The motion was referred to the House Committee on Governmental Affairs. Fortunately, the Committee is headed by Akin Alabi (APC, Oyo). Mr. Akin is no spring chicken in the gaming world as he is the founder of Nairabet, one of the leading operators in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives have done a good job in detecting and solving part of the problems plaguing the Nigerian gaming sector.
