ABUJA — The Cross River State Government has launched a major crackdown on illegal and non-compliant online lottery and sports betting operators. The move comes after the state entered into a new partnership aimed at cleaning up the gaming industry and protecting players from fraudulent platforms.
The Director-General of the Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency, Hon. Micheal Eja, revealed in Abuja that the agency’s recent onboarding by a major search engine has given it the authority to track, regulate, and sanction online operators across digital platforms.
Eja explained that enforcing compliance had been a major challenge in the past, especially with online betting companies that had no physical presence in the state.
“Previously, our biggest problem was enforcing compliance against online operators who didn’t have offices here,” he said.
He added that the challenge has now been resolved following the signing of the Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law 2025, which provides the legal backing needed to collaborate with global digital platforms.
“Without a proper legal framework, we couldn’t engage with Google. But that has changed. With the 2025 law in place, we now have both the authority and the tools to take action,” Eja stated.
Under the new partnership, the agency can now request the removal of illegal betting sites, block unauthorised advertisements, and take legal action against operators who fail to comply.
Eja noted that the initiative is designed not just to sanitise the industry but also to protect players, many of whom have fallen victim to scams run by unlicensed platforms.
“This is a win-win for everyone. Licensed operators under our agency can now advertise legitimately on Google, while fraudulent ones will be blacklisted and sanctioned. Our job is to monitor, enforce, and penalise offenders,” he explained.
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He added that the government’s enforcement efforts are part of a broader plan to promote transparency, accountability, and investor confidence in the state’s gaming industry.
Eja urged all operators to follow the law and uphold ethical business practices.
“We’re calling on all gaming operators to embrace transparency and accountability. Calabar isn’t just a place to do business — it’s a place to live, grow, and thrive,” he said.
