By Onomiguren Agbamu
The Delta State House of Assembly has announced a public hearing on a proposed law to establish the Delta State Gaming Board, a move aimed at strengthening the regulation and control of gaming activities across the state.
The public hearing is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, by 12 PM at the Press Centre, Assembly Complex. Stakeholders are expected to present their views on the proposed legislation, which observers say could significantly reshape gaming regulation and revenue administration in the state.
According to a press statement signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Investments, Hon. Egbetamah Ovie Collins, the bill seeks to repeal several existing laws, including the Delta State Lotteries Board Law of 1976, Delta State Lotteries Law of 1990, Delta State Pools Betting (Control and Taxation) Law of 1996, and the Delta State Betting Duty Law of 1954. The proposed legislation is designed to create a unified legal framework for gaming operations in the state.
The statement adds that the bill was referred to the Committee on Trade and Investments during plenary on September 30, 2025, for further legislative scrutiny. “The objective of this bill is to streamline gaming regulations and ensure proper oversight that will enhance revenue generation and protect stakeholders,” Collins stated.
He explained that the committee will receive written and oral submissions from key government institutions and stakeholders, including the Ministries of Trade and Investments, Finance, Economic Planning, and Justice, as well as the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), Board of Internal Revenue, Sports Commission, Signage and Advertisement Agency, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other critical stakeholders in the gaming sector.
Collins urged members of the public and interested organizations to participate actively in the legislative process. “We encourage stakeholders and the general public to submit memoranda that will help shape a robust and inclusive legal framework for gaming activities in Delta State,” he said.
The committee directed that all memoranda be submitted in twenty copies in sealed envelopes addressed to the Chairman, House Committee on Trade and Investments, and marked “Delta State Gaming Board Bill, 2025 (HB. 35)”. Submissions are to reach the Committee Clerk, Mr. Oge Ogana, on or before Monday, February 23, 2026.
“This hearing provides a platform for inclusive dialogue and ensures that the eventual law reflects the interests of government, operators, and the public,” Collins added.
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