The Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday held a public hearing on a proposed bill seeking to establish the Delta State Gaming Board, with government officials and key stakeholders expressing both support and concerns over the legislation.
The hearing, which took place at the Press Centre of the Assembly Complex on February 24, 2026, was organised by the House Committee on Trade and Investments. The bill, titled the Delta State Gaming Board Bill, 2025 (HB. 35), aims to create a unified legal framework to regulate gaming activities across the state.
The proposed law seeks to repeal several existing legislations, including the Delta State Lotteries Board Law of 1976, the Delta State Lotteries Law of 1990, the Delta State Pools Betting (Control and Taxation) Law of 1996, and the Delta State Betting Duty Law of 1954. Lawmakers say the move is intended to modernise the state’s gaming laws and streamline oversight.
Speaking after the session, the Chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Investments, Hon. Egbetamah Ovie Collins, described the hearing as productive and insightful. He said the engagement provided an opportunity for stakeholders to present diverse views, recommendations, and concerns.
According to him, the contributions received have broadened the committee’s understanding of the issues surrounding gaming regulation in the state.
“No single group has all the answers,” Collins said. “The various submissions and perspectives shared today will help us shape a more comprehensive and effective legal framework.”
He thanked participants for their active involvement and assured them that both written and oral submissions would be carefully reviewed before the bill proceeds to the next legislative stage.
Also speaking at the hearing, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Hon. Sonny Ekedayen, expressed the state government’s full support for the bill, describing it as a strategic step toward economic growth and revenue diversification.
Ekedayen noted that gaming is a major revenue-generating sector in states where it is properly structured and regulated. He cited Lagos and other states as examples where gaming contributes significantly to internally generated revenue (IGR).
“Delta is already operating within the gaming space,” he said. “It is therefore appropriate to establish a stronger regulatory framework to properly organise, monitor, and manage the sector.”
He added that the proposed law would improve transparency, enhance monitoring systems, and introduce efficient technology-driven processes in revenue administration.
While acknowledging the economic benefits, the commissioner also cautioned that gaming comes with social risks.
“There are two sides to it,” he said. “Gaming can create jobs and boost revenue, but there are concerns about excessive gambling and its social impact. That is why proper regulation is critical.”
He pointed to countries such as the United States, where the gaming and casino industry has developed into a major economic ecosystem, generating revenue and employment when effectively regulated.
However, not all stakeholders were fully aligned with the proposal.
Professor Frank Nwaugo, Executive Director of Operations at the Delta State Internal Revenue Service (DSIRS), raised concerns about the potential cost implications of setting up a new board.
He argued that the primary goal of revenue administration should be to minimise costs while maximising returns. According to him, the state already operates a largely digital system for gaming revenue collection, which promotes transparency and reduces human interference.
“We already have a digital arrangement that ensures transparency,” he said. “Revenue is electronically generated and centrally tracked, with minimal manual input. This reduces leakages and enhances accountability.”
Professor Nwaugo questioned the need to create an additional regulatory structure, warning that establishing a board would introduce administrative and overhead costs, including salaries and operational expenses.
“If you create a board, you must appoint members and set up an administrative system. That increases costs,” he said. “We should avoid multiplying agencies when the revenue is already centrally and digitally managed.”
He further cautioned against the “multiplicity of tax collection points,” which he said had previously created inefficiencies in revenue administration. According to him, any reform must focus on efficiency, cost reduction, and revenue optimisation.
On the legal perspective, Moses Onoriode Agwere, Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Justice, affirmed that the state government has constitutional authority to legislate on gaming activities.
He referenced a Supreme Court decision affirming that states can regulate gaming within their jurisdictions. He explained that the bill is intended to strengthen revenue generation and create employment opportunities for youths.
“If there is a legitimate opportunity to benefit the state economically, then it is worth pursuing,” Agwere said.
He noted that several other states have enacted similar laws and that Delta State is aligning with evolving regulatory trends nationwide.
When asked about the appointment of members of the proposed Gaming Board, Agwere stated that the bill clearly grants the governor the power to appoint board members, as provided in its provisions.
Stakeholders from various government institutions, including the Ministries of Finance, Trade and Investments, Economic Planning, Justice, the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), the Board of Internal Revenue, the Sports Commission, the Signage and Advertisement Agency, and the Nigerian Bar Association, were invited to make submissions.
Earlier, the committee had directed that memoranda be submitted in twenty copies in sealed envelopes addressed to the Chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Investments, and marked “Delta State Gaming Board Bill, 2025 (HB. 35),” on or before February 23, 2026.
As deliberations continue, the Assembly is expected to review all submissions before deciding on the final shape of the proposed law, which could significantly reshape gaming regulation, revenue administration, and economic activity in Delta State.
