The issue of double taxation in the Nigerian sports betting industry may soon be resolved as federal and states representatives have agreed to proffer a solution to the lingering problem.

Operators of sports betting companies in the country last month in Lagos lamented the issue of double taxation by the Federal Government and states at a summit organised by the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers, saying it was killing the industry.

Akin Alabi, founder of NairaBet.com and Acting Chairman, ANB, said operators were in dilemma over whom to pay taxes.

“Each state says they are in charge of gaming and betting and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission says they are the ones in charge. So who do we pay to? Do we pay twice? And that is not even talking about the company taxes that we pay. So, it’s strangling our businesses coupled with forex issues. So we need to be sure who we pay to,” Alabi said at the summit.

But there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel after the summit. Precious Puanoni, a Special Assistant to the Director General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, said the body was ready to collaborate with the state to resolve the issue. He expressed optimism that the National Assembly would “do the needful” in amending the lottery act to tackle the problem.