The Cross River State government has launched a fresh clampdown on illegal and non-compliant online lotteries and sports betting operators in a bold move to sanitise the sector and protect players.
The Director-General of the Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency, Hon. Micheal Eja, told journalists in Abuja that the agency’s recent onboarding by Google USA has given it unprecedented enforcement powers.
“In the past, our major challenge was the inability to enforce compliance, especially against online operators without a physical presence in the state.
“Without an enabling law, we couldn’t approach Google, but that has changed. Thanks to the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Senator Prince Edet Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State, and the signing of the Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law 2025, we now have both the law and the tools to act,”
“With Google’s onboarding, the Agency can now demand the removal of illegal operators’ content from Google platforms, block their advertisements, and pursue legal action against them” he explained.
Eja stressed that the move would not only sanitize the industry but also protect players who are often defrauded.
“This is a win-win for everyone. Licensed operators under our Agency will now be able to advertise legally on Google platforms, while fraudulent operators will be blacklisted and sanctioned. Our duty is to monitor, enforce, and apply penalties where necessary,” he said.
He further praised Governor Otu for creating a business-friendly environment that attracts genuine investors.
“We call on all gaming operators to embrace transparency, accountability, and full compliance with the law. Calabar is not just a place to do business, it’s a place to live and thrive,” he concluded.
