The Anambra state government has directed the immediate suspension of operations of casinos and gaming centers in the state.
The development is attributed to an alleged increase in fraudulent and criminal activities in the state.
Daily Report understands that the state government had received a worrisome number of petitions on the manipulation of casino machines and non-transparency in payment for winnings.
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The allegations cited serious abuse of global best practices in the industry, which the Chukwuma Soludo-led government was against.
A statement jointly released by the Anambra Commissioner of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Donatus Onyenji, the state chairman of the internal revenue service, Richard Madiebo, and Chikodi Angra, the Commissioner for Homeland affairs, read:
“This fraudulent practice will not be allowed to thrive under the watch of Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s administration and therefore must be dealt with immediately.
“Consequently, the Anambra government hereby directs operators of casino games in Hotels, Restaurant, and Bars to suspend all Gaming and Casino operations with immediate effect pending the conclusion of investigations.”
The government further called for a mandatory meeting of all hotel owners and managers in the state on October 21 at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre.
It explained that the meeting would address issues of enumeration and validation of hotel licenses and security.
It also said hotel revalidation forms would be distributed at the venue for all categories of hotels and tourism enterprises, warning that any hotel that was not profiled or without Hotel License would be shut down following Anambra State Tourism and Hospitality Law.
