Akume, who stated this in Lagos at the first National Gaming Conference hosted by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, expressed concern that for 10 years the government was realising only N 1 billion yearly from the industry when other countries were recording billions of dollars as revenue.

His words: “Nigerians are among the world’s passionate sports fans supporting global sporting events.

“The 2019 reports indicate that gaming in Nigeria, including international stakeholders, generated in excess of N250 billion. Yet, revenue to the government did not exceed N1 billion for the same year. This is not only disappointed. It is unsustainable and unacceptable.’’

He noted: “As we may all be aware, the Lottery Commission was created in 2005 through the Act of the National Assembly to enable the government to properly organise the operation of lottery business in Nigeria that was hitherto an all- comers affair. Various stakeholders have made efforts to enhance revenue generation for the government through the lottery/gaming industry, however, it is saddening to note that lottery revenues continue to fall short of industry potential and expectations largely due to various conflicts of interest.”

He attributed to this to lack of regulation, adding that it was hindering the government from realising huge revenue from lottery, despite its potential as a wealth generator.

It's already been a season of incredible numbers for Robert Lewandowski - but he insists he does not have his eye on a Cristiano Ronaldo record after firing Bayern Munich into the Champions League quarter-finals.

The 31-year-old Poland striker scored twice as the German champions beat Chelsea 4-1 on Saturday for a 7-1 aggregate win. Lewandowski now has 13 goals in seven Champions League games this term and is four behind Ronaldo's record haul in one season, scoring 17 in the competition for Real Madrid in 2013-14.

Lewandowski may be close to Ronaldo's single season record in the Champions League but he has some way to go to even get close to the Juventus forward's incredible overall tally in the competition.

The Portugal international is the Champions League's all-time top scorer with 130 goals - 64 ahead of Lewandowski, who moved to fourth in the list with his latest double.