Some Nigerians have called
for Federal Government’s involvement in the promotion of lottery business in the country.
Some of them, who spoke in separate interviews with newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday said that this would encourage new entries in the business.
Mr Mohammed Tijani, a businessman stressed the need to lubricate the industry to enhance more revenue generation while shifting from total dependence on oil.
He said that lottery was perceived by some people as gambling, adding that addiction to gambling could ruin the life of a person.
While calling on the government to provide an enabling environment for lottery business, Tijani called for proper regulation of the business.
He said that the government should look beyond the present source of income for the country but make lottery a second national income earner.
“Lottery is a way of raising revenues for the country. It helps provide funds for executing projects.
“ To encourage people to play the game, the government must come in to help sanitise the environment,’’ he said.
Mrs Veronica Attah, a trader was in complete silence when asked if she knew what lottery was all about.
Attah said that she was not aware of anything called lottery, adding that she loved and enjoyed playing games.
“I am not anti-gambling. I enjoy playing games among friends, and have also willingly participated in many games which I won.
“ I don’t really know if these games were in form of lottery but all I know is that I play games,’’ she said.
Mr Lawrence Oluwarotimi, a civil servant told reporters that lottery business usually involved essentially a transfer of income.
Oluwarotimi said that owing to the economic reality of the country, many would be discouraged from participating in lottery business.
Also, Mr Stephen Amade, a driver, described lottery as a good business which if properly regulated, would generate income for the economy as well as put food on the table of the player.