The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to conduct education campaigns to expose the negative effects of sports betting, given the participation of young Nigerians in the act.
The motion was brought to the floor of the Green Chambers during plenary on Thursday by a member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Nwogu Kelechi.
Leading the debate on the motion titled ‘Need to curtail the dangerous effects of sports betting and direct the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to comply with the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act, 2005,’ in a session presided over by Speaker Tajudden Abbas, Kelechi pointed out that approximately 60 million Nigerians aged 18 to 40 are engaged in sports betting, adding that sports betting is expanding like wildfire globally, including Nigeria, which has growing betting outfits such as Naira Bet, Bet 9ja, Sure Bet, Winners Golden Bet Max Bet, Merry Bet, 1960 Bet, Bet Colony, Stakers Den, Bet 360, Bet 365, and Apollo Bet.
According to him, “The House is aware of the fact that the National Lottery Act of 2005 aims to protect players, stakeholders, and the general public by establishing the National Lottery Trust Fund and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
“The House is aware that when it comes to designing, advertising, and marketing, licensees, appointed agents, franchisees, or operators must strictly abide by government policies regarding social responsibility, as stated in Section 2 of the regulations.
“The House is worried that weak or neglected regulations of sports betting have dangerously led to mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or addiction; strained or broken relationships due to lying or stealing from friends and family, financial problems, legal issues, and job loss due to excessive loss or debt, as well as increased crime rates and eventually leading to suicide.”
He went on to say that sports betting “will generate tax revenue for the government and contribute to economic growth” if it is properly regulated and supervised.
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Following the motion’s adoption, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to launch extensive, countrywide public awareness campaigns about the detrimental effects of youth sports betting participation.
Additionally, it required its Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs to hold a public hearing on the advantages and risks of sports betting in Nigeria and submit a report for additional legislative action in four weeks.