Cross River Gaming Sector Set For Growth, Investment – Eja

The Director-General of the Cross River State Lottery and Gaming Agency, Micheal Eja, has said the state’s gaming sector is positioned to attract increased investment and boost internally generated revenue following a new regulatory partnership with the Federal Government.

Eja disclosed this after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja on behalf of Cross River State alongside other members of the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria.

The agreement was signed with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), led by its Director-General, Olalekan Fadolapo, as part of efforts to establish a unified regulatory framework for Nigeria’s gaming industry.

According to Eja, the initiative brought together gaming regulators from 25 states under the platform of the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria to strengthen collaboration between federal and state authorities.

He explained that the framework aims to create a more transparent and structured operating environment for gaming operators across the country.

“For us in Cross River State, this unified framework represents a strategic opportunity to attract responsible investment into the gaming and lottery sector,” Eja said.

He added that the initiative would enhance compliance, strengthen regulatory oversight, and significantly increase the state’s internally generated revenue.

The Cross River gaming regulator also noted that the harmonised framework would help curb illegal and unlicensed gaming advertisements while promoting responsible and ethical advertising practices across media platforms.

He said the agreement would support pre-advertising licensing verification and improve information sharing among regulatory bodies.

Eja reaffirmed Cross River State’s commitment to aligning with national best practices that support the growth of the gaming industry while protecting public interest and strengthening investor confidence.

The MoU was signed between the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria, represented by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are, on behalf of the 25 participating states, including Cross River State.