Following an alleged fraudulent and criminal activities observed in their operations, the Anambra State Government has issued an order for an immediate suspension of all casinos and gaming centres in the state.
The order was contained in a statement co-signed by the commissioner for Culture, Entertainment; Tourism, Donatus Onyeji and Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service; Richard Madiebo and the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chikodi Angra
According to the duo the government received a worrisome number of petitions pertaining the manipulation of casino machines and non-transparency in payment for winnings which was not in line with the global best practices in the industry, adding that the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo will not tolerate such.
They said a meeting had been called for all operatives of the gaming centres with a view to addressing issues of enumeration and validation of hotel licenses as well as security.
They noted that hotel revalidation forms would be distributed at the venue for all categories of hotels and tourism enterprises and that any hotel that was not profiled or without a hotel license would be closed down according to the state tourism and hospitality law.
The statement 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 State Government hereby directs operators of casino games in hotels, restaurants and bars to suspend all gaming and casino operations with immediate effect pending the conclusion of investigations.
“The government has therefore called for a meeting of all hotel owners and managers in the state on October 21 at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre.”
