By Bill W. Cooper
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has announced the introduction of a Central Monitoring System (CMS) for the gaming and gambling industry, intended to enhance regulatory oversight and increase government revenue.
The initiative, introduced by the NLA’s current management team, is expected to have profound regulatory, operational, and economic impacts on the sector, which is poised to be a growing source of revenue for the government.
The CMS is designed to provide real-time monitoring of all gaming activities across Liberia, ensuring compliance with established regulations and promoting transparency within the industry.
By implementing such an advanced technological solution, the NLA aims to curb illegal gambling operations, enhance accountability among licensed operators, and ultimately increase the revenue generated from legal gaming activities.
According to the NLA, the leadership of its Director General, Reginald Kpan Nagbe, is applying multifaceted approaches to improve the Gaming and Gambling Industry in Liberia, ranging from robust regulatory oversight and consumer protection.
Other approaches include technological innovation, promoting responsible gaming, fostering international collaboration, as well as monitoring economic and social impacts across the country’s gambling industry.
The NLA said, “This system, and in real-time, will typically monitor electronic gaming machines (EGMs), casino operations, online gambling, sports betting and the entire lottery systems, thereby ensuring compliance with gaming laws, reducing illegal or unlicensed operations.”
According to the NLA management, the CMS will increase government revenue, ensure transparency, better reporting and collection of taxes and license fees, performance metrics, machine usage, as well as enhance investors’ and public confidence, fairness, and security of gaming operations.
“The introduction of the 5/90 ball lotto game is a clear call to bolster consistent government revenues and create jobs for Liberians through sales, marketing, IT support, security, and administration, bringing a variety of economic, social, and regulatory benefits to the country.
Proceeds of the 5/90 balls Lotto Game are earmarked for charitable ventures, education, healthcare, sports, and infrastructure, directly benefiting the citizens,” DG Nagbe revealed.
Considering the critically essential nature of staff capacity development in the Gaming and Gambling Industry, Nagbe also pledged to maintain a great reputation through retained skills enhancement for staff for effective regulatory compliance, enhancing customer experience, promoting responsible gambling, and ensuring operational efficiency.
This, the NLA Boss asserted, “As the industry evolves, especially with the growth of online platforms, and central monitoring systems, I strongly believe that investing in human capital is increasingly critical.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Nagbe has also established three actively functioning regional offices, which are vital for decentralizing NLA’s operations, enhancing customer service, and ensuring efficient oversight of lottery activities across the country.
Region one covers Grand Bassa, Margibi, Rivercess and Sinoe Counties, while region two covers Maryland, Rivergee, Grand Kru and Grand Gedeh Counties, and region three covers Nimba, Bong and Lofa Counties.
These regional offices, DG Nagbe added, will further help to maintain NLA operational integrity, accessibility, and public trust. He announced that Bomi, Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount Counties are next in line.
