The National Union of Gaming and Lottery Workers (NUGLOW) has issued an ultimatum to a firm, Melbet Nigeria, operated by Otrada Hospitality Limited, to pay Mr Abdulkareem Oriyomi, his outstanding winnings of N210,000 from a total of N1,210,000.
The union’s General Secretary, Gregory Olatunji, made the demand in a letter dated October 3, 2024, warning that failure to comply within 72 hours would lead to further action.
Melbet Nigeria had faced similar issues in the past, with reports of scams and fraudulent activities targeting users.
The National Lottery Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (NLRC) had also issued warnings about fake Melbet websites and advised users to only use the official website (link unavailable).
In light of these concerns, NUGLOW in the letter titled, “an intervention for the immediate full payment of winnings to Mr. Abdulkareem Habibullahi Oriyomi,” demanded that Melbet should disclose its genuine office location for complaints and other issues.
It added that such transparency would help build trust with users and ensure that any disputes are resolved efficiently.
It said, by making these demands, NUGLOW aims to protect the interests of gaming and lottery workers, as well as users, and ensure that Melbet Nigeria operates fairly and transparently.
According to the Union, it received a complaint from one Mr. Abdulkareem Habibullahi Oriyomi with phone number 09113093611, a registered customer with MELBET who stake a bet and won N1,210,000, out of which N1million was paid while an outstanding balance of N210,000 had not been remitted to his account.
“Mr. Abdulkareem further informed the Union that when he liaise with MELBET customer care service to lodge a complaint that the money he won have not been fully paid, that there is an outstanding N210,000 to complete the payment.
“He alleged that he was instructed to verify his account, which he did immediately. Surprisingly, his account with MELBET was blocked and he has not been able to access the account. Moreso, his calls to customer care service is being ignored and the outstanding winning balance not paid.”
NUGLOW, which is a registered trade union affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), explained that when Mr. Abdulkareem lodged his complaint with the Union secretariat, it set up a fact finding team to investigate the allegations with a view to unearthing the truth and more importantly for amicable resolution.
It added, “on Tuesday 26th of September, 2024 a NUGLOW fact finding team was at the MELBET office located at 20, Hakeem Dickson Street, off Fola Oshibo, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos Nigeria. It is imperative to state that this aforementioned address is the operator official office on the internet/website.
“However, the security guards at the gate said the building is a residential apartment which does not house MELBET as an office. Our team was surprised to find out that the office MELBET as a sporting bet operator posted on its official website is not the office as claimed.
“The NUGLOW team then called MELBET customer care service phone number 09151360255. After several attempts one of the calls was picked by someone who neither bothered to identify himself nor disclose the sporting operator’s authentic office address.
“The call receiver claimed nobody came to MELBET office to lodge any complaints or for any fact finding. He asked if the caller was the bettor and if he was calling with the registered phone number with the sporting bet operator. A question answered in negative, with a categorical NO. The caller told the receiver from MELBET customer care service unit that he was the Acting Deputy General Secretary of NUGLOW.
“The customer care service personnel was advised to address the complaint of Mr. Abdulkareem Habibullahi Oriyomi within the next 72 hours failure of which the Union will seek formal redress on his behalf.
“As of the time of writing this official complaint to your good office, the outstanding winning balance is yet to be paid to Mr. Abdulkareem Habibullahi Oriyomi. The Union views this as a calculated attempt to shortchange the bettor from earning his winning. To us, this is an ugly development that robbed off on the integrity of MELBET sporting bet operator in particular and the credibility of the gaming and lottery operators in general.
“When bettor’s are denied their winnings it gives room for smear campaigns and the much needed confidence that bettor’s have in or placed on operators will be eroded if they do not play by the rules,” the union stated.
The Union, however, demanded that “MELBET sporting bet operator management should pay the outstanding winning of N210,000 to Mr. Abdulkareem Habibullahi Oriyomi immediately.
“That the Union may be compelled to lodge a formal complaint with the lottery regulatory agencies if Mr. Abdulkareem Habibullahi Oriyomi is not paid the balance of money won within the next 72 hours.
“That MELBET must as a matter of public urgency make his genuine office known, where it could be reached for complaints and other sundry issues affecting the gaming and lottery industry.
“Lastly, the Union may be forced to seek redress for the complainant both in the court of public opinion, and any court of competent jurisdictions.”
