The House of Representatives has taken a decisive step to curtail sports betting in the country, urging the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to adhere to the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act of 2005.
This resolution came about following the adoption of a motion presented by Rep. Kelechi Nwogu during the plenary session in Abuja on Thursday. Earlier, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that an estimated 60 million Nigerians aged between 18 and 40 are involved in sports betting.
Rep. Nwogu emphasized that lax or overlooked regulations in sports betting have contributed to mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and addiction. He pointed out that these problems have also resulted in strained or severed relationships, as individuals resort to lying or stealing from friends and family. Financial problems, legal issues, and job loss due to excessive gambling losses or debt were highlighted as additional consequences.
Nwogu underscored that betting has led to an increased crime rate and, in some instances, even suicide. He stressed the importance of launching campaigns to prevent the negative social impact of lotteries and to deter underage participation.
