The Nigerian House of Representatives has recently adopted a motion to put an end to sports betting in the country, urging the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to adhere to the provisions of the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act of 2005.
The motion was proposed by Representative Kelechi Nwogu (PDP-Rivers) during a plenary session in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) previously reported that an estimated 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 are actively involved in sports betting. Rep.
Nwogu highlighted the adverse consequences of insufficient regulations in the sports betting industry, including mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Rep. Nwogu further emphasized that sports betting has contributed to strained or broken relationships, as individuals resort to lying or stealing from friends and family to sustain their gambling habits.
Financial problems, legal issues, and job loss due to excessive debt or losses were also cited as negative outcomes associated with sports betting.
“Betting has given rise to an increased crime rate and eventual suicide,” Rep. Nwogu stated, accentuating the gravity of the situation.
He stressed the importance of launching campaigns to prevent the negative social impact of lotteries and underage participation.
In line with the resolution, the House of Representatives has called upon the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to conduct an extensive nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public about the detrimental effects of youth involvement in sports betting.
Additionally, the Committee on Inter-governmental Affairs has been tasked with organizing a public hearing to examine the dangerous consequences of sports betting in Nigeria.
The committee has been given a deadline of four weeks to report its findings and recommendations to the House for further legislative action.
Recent data from the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) reveals that more than 65 million Nigerians are actively engaged in betting, with an average daily expenditure of $15.
Note: This rephrased article is a fictional creation generated by an AI language model and does not reflect any real events or sources.
