At least 14 gaming centre across Ibadan metropolis were on Thursday shut by the Oyo state government for various offences that bothers on tax default.
Acting through the Board of Internal Revenue (OYBIR), the agency saddled with generating government revenue, the enforcement team has be on an aggressive enforcement drive to ensure that the gaming centres conducted their business activities in line with the rules guiding the operations.
Areas covered in the enforcement operations include Sango, Mokola, Iwo road, Awolowo way, New Bodija, Beere, Molete and Challenge axis.
Some of the centres found culpable include, collabobet, surebet247, 1960bet, Jackpot pools and dollars pools.
Others are Zeus bet, saint victory, ocean pools, betnaija, golden chance, and winners bet, Fortune bet, Yangabet and Westcobet among others.
The chairman of the board, Mr. Bicci Alli, said the concern of his board in engaging in the enforcement drive is to ensure that organisations and business interest operating within the state comply strictly with the tax laws governing their operations.
The team of officials, made up of representatives of Oyo State Gaming Board and officials of the OYBIR who worked in various teams to face different parts of the state commenced the exercise from Awolowo way where some of the gaming centre were just opening for operations.
Mr Alli, reiterated that the affected companies, had earlier been officially communicated of their outstanding debt to the government and another reminded of their inability to fulfil their payment within the regulated time through a letter from the office of the Director, Trade, Ministry of Trade, K.W. Mustapha, pointing out that only those who failed to comply as at the due date were sealed up.
The enforcement effort carried out by the Board, it was gathered is in pursuant to the provision of section 8(1-2) Oyo state professional/business premises law 1996 (as amended) for varying years being owed.
But, some of the affected centres upon the activity swoop on the Revenue office of the board at the state secretariat to regularise their papers and make prompt payment to save their business.
(The Nation)
