Enugu Govt Shuts Down Bet9ja Operations in the State

• The Enugu State Government has sealed the offices and outlets of Bet9ja operator, KC Gaming Networks, following alleged repeated breaches of the state’s gaming and lottery laws.

The Enugu State Government has shut down the operations of KC Gaming Networks, operators of the Bet9ja brand, over what it described as persistent violations of the Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Law.

The enforcement action, carried out on Tuesday, led to the sealing of the company’s head office in Enugu by the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission. The commission said the move was executed based on a court order issued by the High Court of Enugu State.

Speaking during the operation, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Prince Arinze Arum, said the shutdown followed repeated but unsuccessful attempts by the state to secure compliance from the operator.

According to Arum, the company ignored several warnings, administrative notices, and official communications from the commission, particularly on issues relating to licence revalidation, outstanding fees, and other statutory obligations.

“We are here to enforce compliance with the Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Law,” Arum said. “We have had several communications with KC Gaming Networks concerning their infractions and regulatory breaches, but the company ignored multiple warnings and entreaties from the commission.”

He said the action marked a total shutdown of Bet9ja’s operations in the state, adding that enforcement began at the company’s head office and would be extended to all its outlets across Enugu State.

Arum stressed that the state government was committed to ensuring strict adherence to the law, regardless of the size or influence of any operator in the gaming sector.

“There is no operator or company above the law. If you break the law, you must face the consequences,” he said, noting that the commission had exhausted all administrative remedies before resorting to enforcement.

Addressing claims of alleged overbilling by the state, Arum dismissed the allegations, stating that all fees, taxes, and payments are assessed strictly in line with existing laws and regulations.

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He explained that the enforcement followed an ex-parte order granted by the High Court of Enugu State, presided over by Justice H.O. Eya, in a suit between the Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Commission and KC Gaming Networks.

The court order authorised the commission to seal and restrict access to the company’s gaming premises within the state over its alleged failure to remit demanded gross gaming revenue, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice already before the court.

The Enugu State Government said it would continue to enforce compliance across the gaming sector, warning that failure to act against regulatory breaches could undermine the integrity of the industry and encourage non-compliance by other operators.