20th February, 2013
The Lagos State Lotteries Board has arrested a Serbian national for engaging in illegal online sports betting without being licensed by the board.
Two illegal sports bet operators and nine public online lottery operators were also arrested by the board between January and now.
Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Lagos State Lotteries Board, confirmed the arrest of the Serbian, Mr. Nenad Inkovic, saying he was caught while operating illegal online sports betting at Ilaje Street, Ajah, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
He said the illegal activity was a breach of Section 43 (1) (b) of the Lagos State Lotteries Law.
The Serbian was charged to court at the Special Offences Court, Alausa, for operating online sports betting illegally.
He was granted bail, while his international passport has been seized.
Gbajabiamila disclosed that the arrest was carried out at Iju/Ishaga, Ojodu Berger, Lagos Island, Ajah, Ikeja and Olowo Ira, adding that eight of the offenders were awaiting trial.
He stated that the board would not relent in its effort to rid the state off illegal lottery activities.
He said the board would continue to intensify its enforcement exercises and that anyone patronising a lottery operator not licensed by the board would be prosecuted and sentenced if found guilty.
The CEO advised the public to patronise only approved and licensed operators by the Lagos State Lotteries Board.
In 2012, the board arrested 15 offenders in Epe, Ketu, Mile 12, Ogba and Ojodu Berger areas of Lagos, while seven of the offenders are still on trial.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga