At the 2025 Enugu Gaming Conference, held at the International Conference Centre, the Governor’s address, Dr Peter Mbah, delivered by the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr Nathaniel Urama, noted the state’s strategic pivot towards gaming as a tool for economic growth.

“This administration is working to reclaim Enugu not only as a government of substance but as an investment hub within Africa,” the Governor said in his welcome address.

Themed “From Unification to Diversification: Shaping Nigeria’s Gaming Future,” the conference brought together stakeholders, tech innovators, regulators, and investors from across the continent.

According to the Governor, “We are living in a time where the future of gaming will be determined by how well we harmonise innovation, regulation, expansion, responsibility and investment.”

Enugu’s leadership is backing words with action, and over the past year, the state has rolled out a range of initiatives that go beyond token regulation.

At the heart of these measures is an automated licensing and operator registration portal, a secure digital platform that allows real-time tracking and evaluation of gaming operators.

“This innovation drastically reduces manual interference, minimises the risk of fraud, and ensures compliance with our gaming norms,” the Governor stated.

Equally important is the deployment of a Central Monitoring System (CMS) for virtual and retail gaming activities. This system allows the state to monitor gaming transactions in real time, aiming to improve transparency in revenue declarations and tax compliance; an area notoriously murky in the Nigerian gaming sector.

But the state’s vision is not limited to digital as Enugu is also taking a firm stance on ethics.

“In Enugu State, our administration fully recognises the growing influence of the gaming and lottery industry as a driver of job creation, digital innovation…

“But even more importantly, we understand the need for a regulatory environment that is transparent, secure and investment-friendly, one that supports legitimate operators while protecting the interests of players and the broader society.”

In a particularly interesting move, the government recently launched a public awareness campaign to tackle underage gambling, aligning its digital reforms with a human-centred policy approach.

“This initiative speaks directly to our commitment to social responsibility and public welfare, ensuring that the economic benefits of gaming do not come at the cost of the next generation,” the Governor said.

To better achieve its goals, the state plans to deploy a GPS-based operator mapping and audit system. This tool will allow the commission to geo-locate all gaming outlets in the state and analyse operator data to detect illegal operations and enforce compliance in a smarter way.

“These initiatives are not isolated, as they are aligned with our broader agenda of digitally driven governance, ease of doing business, and a modernised economy where transparency, accountability and efficiency are the norm,” the address stated.

While many Nigerian states are wrestling with the implications of the Supreme Court ruling that granted them power to regulate gaming activities within their jurisdictions, Enugu is already racing ahead, readying itself with digital infrastructure, legislative tools, and a public service mindset.

“Enugu State is open for business, and we are building a regulatory framework that invites innovation while preserving integrity,” the Governor said.

Mbah spoke during the opening of the second and 2025 edition of the Enugu Gaming Conference organised by the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Wednesday.

The two-day Conference, which has “From Unification to Diversification: Shaping Nigeria’s Gaming Future” as its theme, is part of the resolve of the Enugu State Government to shape and grow the state’s gaming industry.

Dr. Mbah represented by the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Urama, emphasised the transformative potential of the gaming industry as a catalyst for job creation and economic growth.

He commended the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission for organising the Conference, which focuses on issues such as the movement from a centralised to decentralised regulatory architecture, reiterated his administration’s commitment to revolutionising the gaming sector through technological, innovation, and robust regulation.

“Over the past year, the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission has taken giant strides in regulatory transformation and I am proud to share that we have invested in cutting-edge digital infrastructure aimed at raising the bar for regulatory excellence.

“At the heart of this transformation is the Automated License Verification and Operator Registration Portal, a secure intelligence system that enables real-time tracking, licensing, and validation of gaming operators across the state.

“This innovation has drastically reduced manual interference, minimised the risk of fraud, and ensure compliance with our gaming laws,” he stated.

He further announced plans to roll out advanced technologies and awareness campaigns to promote responsible gaming, protect vulnerable communities, and eliminate underage gambling in Enugu State.

Speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, underscored the evolving nature of the industry, noting that the conversion had been elevated.

“We must be honest with ourselves: the Nigerian gaming industry is at a critical juncture. The conversations are no longer just about enforcement or revenue generation. They are now about jurisdiction, innovation, technology, cross-border collaborations, and most importantly, structure,” he said.

Arum stressed on the need for a decentralised regulatory framework tailored to local realities and economic priorities while maintaining synergy between state-level commissions and federal institutions.

“Unification gave us a framework. Diversification now demands that we tailor that framework to local realities, economic priorities, and constitutional responsibilities,” he emphasised.

The National Commissioner of the National Data Protection Commission, Vincent Olatunji, who was represented by Alexander Owen, stressed the importance of privacy, security, and compliance in shaping the future of gaming.

He advocated for robust age verification processes on gaming platforms to protect minors and warned that personal data collection must be consensual and limited to what is necessary for platform operations.

Meanwhile, the Enugu Gaming Conference underscores the state’s resolve to grow and structure the gaming and lotto industry, leveraging technology and innovation to drive economic development while ensuring responsible and regulated practices.