LASPAA Urges Govt To Take A Stand On Pools

Lagos State Pools Agents Association, LASPAA, has urged officials of the Lagos State government to come out with their position on the odds payment and halt the crisis rocking the business in the last few years.

President of the association, Major Sammy Ogunyebo (retd.) called on the government officials, including Mr. Bola Sodipo, the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, officials of the Lagos State Board of Inland Revenue, LIRS, who have been holding series of meetings with the representatives of the promoters and pools agents to find a common ground that will pave way for the formulation of a government’s policy to guide operators of the business in the state.

He added that the parley, which was held twice ended in a deadlock due to the failure of promoters and agents to agree on odds payment to be adopted.

While promoters want a 1-12 full odds payment, the agents are clamouring for 1-14, which they believe will stop high commission and reduce crazy competition in the market.

“We want a situation where all stakeholders will be proud to be in the business. With 1-13 and  strict compliance to order rules like no commission to stakers and promoters handing over their betting shops to LASPAA’s control, there will be sanity in Lagos pools,” he added.

“I’m happy that the government and promoters have agreed to fight high commission to a stop and impose heavy penalty on offenders. This will help the business. But the issue of odds payment is the bone of contention, if odds is 1-13, as we shifted to, it will help fight underground promoters and stablise profit maximization.

“Having listened to all parties, the government officials, should come out with a far reaching policy that will solve the problem. It is glaring that the promoters did not want to see reason with us after we shifted ground on the odds payment.

“As  neutral arbiters, the government officials should do the right thing as history will judge all of us. Lagos should not copy other states, it is these states that should emulate what we are doing in Lagos,” said Ogunyebo.