By Mary Agidi
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Ondo State Pools, Betting and Lottery Board, has said it targets to generate about one billion naira to the government’s coffer this year.

This it intends to achieve through regulation of betting centres and organisation of lotto ticketing activities across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Mr. Akinya Olubodun, made this known in an exclusive interview with The Hope, in Akure.

According to him, the board surpassed its last year’s target and generated over N25million by only regulating the activities of sport betting centres across the state.

He noted that the state will organise Sunshine Lotto Raffle Draw this year, to afford citizens chance to win gifts, ranging from cars and electronics, an initiative that would also earn the government a great fortune.

Olubodun who said the state government is focusing on betting and lotto this year, lamented that Nigerians are too religious, hence the reason many presume the act as irresponsible.

 He averred that, these betting centres also create employment opportunities, and described sport betting as a legalised activity contrary to the impression in some quarters.

The pool board boss , however asserted that law is against the participation of any individual who is below the age of 18 in sport betting, adding that government doesn’t permit this activity in and around campuses and has been doing everything possible to monitor them in order not to distract the students.

“We move round the betting houses to ensure that the age limit is regulated; then if you partake in betting we ensure that what is due to you is given to you.

“We are very religious in this part of the world, a lot of people will tell you that lottery is not good for the people of God, but it is a way of revenue generation and creating employment.

“So many people that operate as agents and promoters of the game are sustaining themselves through this activity and are paying their dues to government”. He said.

To him, gambling and sport betting are related but not the same, and noted that the latter is regulated while the former is not.