FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ANS. The functions of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission are mainly regulatory: to issue licenses and permits, set standards, guidelines, rules and promote transparency, integrity in the operation and business of lottery in Nigeria. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission is also mandated to carry out periodic assessment of the operation of lottery and submit reports to the President and the National Assembly. Another function of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission is to ensure accurate monitoring and assessment of proceeds accruing to operators to determine the value of the 50% prize money, and ensure 20% contribution to the National Lottery Trust Fund.

ANS. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines lottery as “a way of raising money for government and charity”. However, the National Lottery Act 2005, defines Lottery or Lotteries to include any game, scheme, arrangement, system, plan, promotional competition or device for the distribution of prizes by lot and chance or based on the outcome of sporting events, or any other game, scheme, arrangement, system, plan, competition or device, which the president may by notice in the gazette declare to be lottery and which shall be operated according to a license. It is a game of luck involving drawing a lot for a prize. It is a strategy for fund raising for Good Causes. For example the Great Wall of China was built with funds from a lottery, the Ivy League Institutions such as Harvard and Yale were built with lottery money, the 2010 Olympics was partly funded by Camelot; the UK National Lottery. To do this, tickets are normally raised and these tickets bear different numbers and are sold to people. Numbers are then chosen on by chance and at random and whoever has the chosen numbers on their ticket wins the prize

ANS. It is the general public. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission Act 2005, clearly stipulates that 50% of all proceeds must go to players as prize and 20% to the National Lottery Trust Fund for Good Causes. This means that 70% of the total proceeds of lottery money actually goes back to the people. Only 30% is left to the operator to cover his costs. Good Causes include investment in Education, Health,Sports and Special Projects of national significance. Individuals and/0r civil society organisations with projects that touch the generality of the people can also access funds or grants from the National Lottery Trust Fund.

ANS. Any organisation that is duly registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and meets up with the required capital base, can apply for a license. However, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission reserves the right after thorough inspection of the business premises, operations equipment to decline granting the application.

ANS. It is the duty of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to attend to all public complaints, with the aim of readdressing and resolving them amicably.

ANS. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission is a parastatal under the Ministry of Special Duties in the Presidency.

ANS. Lottery is a ways of raising money for government, charity, religious bodies etc by selling of numbered tickets where winners are chosen by a random draw. The money realised is channeled to Good Causes. While gambling is to risk money in the hope of being successful. It has no social value to society other than personal to the individual. Some see gambling as a vice.

ANS. Yes, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission is statutorily required to regulate promotions that fall outside schemes for crating customer preference and loyalty. Once a customer pays money to enter a promotion that ends up in a random draw; Then such a situation is considered a lottery and is regulated by National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

ANS. Yes, every game has rules guiding conduct. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission has the powers under the law, to revoke the licences of any operator who violates the rules

ANS. All over the world; where lottery is played; A winner must emerge. In Nigeria we have instances where players have won fabulous prizes. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission is determined to ensure that lottery played in a transparent, honest way where terms are clearly stated for all players and winners truly emerge without short-changing the players.