Nigeria Fines Operator for Not Paying Out Winnings

This week it was announced that the Nigerian National Lottery Regulatory Commission has announced that they have fined operator Sponge Nigeria N10 million after the group didn't pay out winnings to players.

The company was also ordered to pay out N138 million that it owes players for their Better Life Billionaire Promo game, which took place six months ago. Despite the drawings being held, the company didn't pay out the winnings to customers. The company was found to be in violation of the terms and conditions related to their licensing, and thus need to pay the fines to get back in line.

NLRC Director General Lanre Gbajabiamila wrote a strongly worded letter to the company, noting: "Your continued failure and/or refusal to pay legitimate winnings is a flagrant violation of the National Lottery Act 2005 and Regulation, and Operational Terms and Conditions.

"By accepting the NLRC permit for the [Better Life Billionaire Promo], Sponge was legally bound to conduct its affairs with all due propriety and protect participating stakeholders," Gbajabiamila wrote. "Under [...] the terms and conditions, Sponge promised to "'ensure that all prizes and monies due to prize winners are redeemed in full."

Sponge Nigeria is expected to pay the money and fines immediately, and if the money is not paid, additional sanctions could be put into place.