Illegal Betting: Lagos lottery board arrests Serbian, 10 others

By  Olasunkanmi Akoni
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 till date.

Lanre Gbajabiamila, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Lagos State Lotteries Board confirmed the arrest of the Serbian, identified as Mr. Nenad Inkovic, saying he was caught while operating illegal online sports betting at Ilaje Street, Ajah, Lagos.

Gbajabiamila, 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.

However, the board’s CEO disclosed that two illegal sports bet operators and nine public online lottery operators were arrested between January and February, 2013, saying 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.

Gbajabiamila stated that the board would not relent in its effort to rid the State of illegal lottery activities.