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Lawmakers move to ban sports betting in Nigeria
The House of Representatives has made a resolution to halt sports betting in the country, urging the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to adhere to the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act of 2005.
This decision, stemming from a motion put forth by Representative Kelechi Nwogu (PDP-Rivers) during Thursday’s plenary in Abuja, addresses the concerns related to the widespread engagement of approximately 60 million Nigerians aged between 18 and 40 in sports betting.
Honourable Nwogu highlighted the adverse effects of weak regulations on sports betting, citing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Additionally, he pointed out the negative societal consequences, including strained relationships, financial problems, legal issues, job loss, and an increase in crime rates, ultimately leading to suicides.
READ ALSO: NLRC set to prosecute operators of unlicensed sports betting companies in Nigeria
Recognising the urgency of the matter, “the House urged the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to conduct a comprehensive nationwide campaign to raise public awareness about the detrimental impact of youth participation in sports betting”.
Furthermore, the House mandated the Committee on Inter-governmental Affairs to conduct a public hearing on the dangerous effects of sports betting in Nigeria, with a report due within four weeks for further legislative action.
According to data from the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), over 65 million Nigerians actively participate in betting, spending an average of 15 dollars daily.
The concerning trend also reveals that Nigerians collectively spend an estimated 975 million dollars daily on online sports betting, accumulating to about 356 billion dollars annually.
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