Government Seals Bet9ja Betting Office

The government has sealed the Bet9ja betting office.

NewsRain Nigeria reports that the Enugu State Government began sealing Bet9ja facilities across the state over alleged failure to revalidate operational licences and settle outstanding financial obligations.

The government said several administrative efforts had been made to resolve the issues, particularly regarding licence revalidation and unpaid fees, but the company allegedly failed to comply.

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Executive Secretary of theEnugu State Gaming and Lottery Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, who led the enforcement team to facilities operated by KC Gaming, said the action would be extended to all Bet9ja outlets in the state.

He noted that the enforcement was carried out in line with provisions of the Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Law and backed by a court order obtained by the commission.

Arum said the action became necessary after repeated communications, warnings, and regulatory notices issued to the operator were allegedly ignored, stressing that the shutdown was not limited to the company’s head office.

According to him, the company allegedly failed to revalidate its operational licence despite directives from the commission and also ignored demand notices issued for outstanding gaming fees.

He added that gaming fees and taxes imposed on operators were based on professional assessments rather than arbitrary government decisions.

The commission stated that the enforcement was aimed at creating a properly regulated gaming ecosystem that protects players and ensures fairness among operators, adding that the process followed due legal procedures.

A court order issued by the High Court of Enugu State, Enugu Judicial Division, presided over by Justice H.O. Eya, authorised the commission to seal, lock up, and restrict access to the company’s gaming business premises for failure to remit assessed and duly demanded gross gaming revenue.

The commission maintained that the enforcement exercise forms part of broader efforts by the state government to sanitise the gaming sector, strengthen regulatory compliance, and ensure operators meet their statutory obligations.

Meanwhile, in a new development, KC Gaming Networks Limited, owners of Bet9ja, has denied owing the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission following the closure of its outlets across the state.

In a statement, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bet9ja, Dr Ayo Ojuroye, said the company had taken note of the commission’s action in sealing its outlets across Enugu State.

Ojuroye maintained that KC Gaming Networks does not owe the commission and indicated that the company would address the matter through appropriate legal channels.

“These actions are said to have been carried out in sequence to an ex parte order granted by the High Court of Enugu State, presided over by Justice H.O. Eya, in Suit No. 6/54/2025 on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.

“We wish to state clearly that KC Gaming Networks Limited (Bet9ja) is not owing the Enugu State Government via the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission any legitimate fees, levies, taxes, or outstanding payments.

“KC Gaming Networks Limited has been a model corporate entity in terms of paying the required fees, levies, and taxes at the appropriate times since it started doing business in Enugu State over 12 years ago.

“KC Gaming Networks Limited does not owe the Enugu State Government any taxes, license fees, or appropriate Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) remittances.

“Our organization has engaged with Enugu State Government via the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission and Enugu State Internal Revenue Service on multiple occasions on this issue without any resolution.

“Our organization will not be stampeded into paying levies/taxes it does not generate from Enugu State to Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission or any agency of Government.

“Be that as it may, KC Gaming Networks Limited is committed to ensuring that these issues are resolved legally and will be following up on the existing case at the High Court of Enugu State.

“We wish to assure our agents, partners, and the public that we will continue to follow due process to ensure that these closures are reversed and that justice prevails.”