The House of Representatives has raised concerns over the unregulated sports betting industry in Nigeria, warning of its devastating effects on the country’s youth. In a public hearing, lawmakers and stakeholders called for immediate action to curb the menace.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen decried the alarming rate at which Nigerians, especially young people, are indulging in sports betting, risking their mental and financial well-being.
“We cannot fold our arms and watch our citizens, especially our youth, destroy their lives through unregulated sports betting. As a responsible parliament, we must take adequate legislative steps to correct and moderate this worrisome situation for the benefit of our citizens and our nation.”, he said.
Sandra Agbor from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) presented a stark reality, highlighting the psychological, emotional, and financial consequences of sports betting addiction.
“The negative effects of sports betting should be factored into the design of a holistic response that will protect the underage, prevent fraud, and confront addiction in Nigeria.”
She urged the National Assembly to expedite the review and passage of the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission Act, 2005, and called for an Executive Order to regulate the industry.
Olafadeke Akeju, representing the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers, acknowledged the need for a collaborative effort to ensure responsible gaming practices. “All stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring the gaming industry operates with integrity, transparency, accountability, and responsibility to mitigate and address the risks associated with the activities.”
Committee Chairman Canice Nwachukwu emphasized the importance of protecting children from the harmful effects of unregulated gaming and entertainment. “We must ensure that our children are not turned into nuisances as a result of their involvement in unregulated gaming and entertainment. We will make sure we have a level playing ground, where all the mechanisms that will make it run smoothly without becoming inimical to societal progress are in place.”
The committee proposed a central monitoring system to track and regulate sports betting activities, ensuring that operators provide details on winners, losers, and attempts made by individuals.
With the aim of mitigating the risks associated with sports betting, lawmakers and stakeholders are working together to create a safer and more responsible gaming environment in Nigeria.
