The Home of Representatives has urged the Federal Authorities to conduct consciousness campaigns to reveal the unfavorable results of sports activities betting, given the participation of younger Nigerians within the act.
The movement was tabled on the Inexperienced Home plenary on Thursday by a member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Nwogu Kelechi.
Kelechi led the talk on the movement titled 'Must Curb the Harmful Results of Sports activities Betting and Direct the Nationwide Lottery Regulatory Fee to Adjust to the Lottery Regulatory Fee Act, 2005', at a session chaired by Chairman Tajudden Abbas, and famous that “sports activities betting is spreading like wildfire worldwide together with Nigeria which has rising betting outfits comparable to Naira Wager, Wager 9ja, Positive Wager, Winners Golden Wager Max Wager, Merry Wager, 1960 Wager, Wager Colony, Stakers Den, Wager 360, Wager 365, Apollo Wager and so forth,” noting that “about 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 are concerned in sports activities betting.”
In line with him, the Home is conscious that the Nationwide Lottery Act, 2005 offers for the institution of the Nationwide Lottery Regulatory Fee and the Nationwide Lottery Belief Fund and is meant to make sure truthful operation and safety of gamers, stakeholders and the general public .
“The Home is conscious that part 2 of the rules offers {that a} licensee, appointed brokers, franchisees or operators should strictly adhere to authorities coverage on social duty in design, promoting and advertising.
“The Home is worried that weak or uncared for sports activities betting rules have dangerously led to psychological well being issues, comparable to melancholy, anxiousness or habit; strained or damaged relationships because of mendacity or stealing from family and friends, monetary issues, authorized issues and job loss because of extreme loss or debt, larger crime charges and finally committing suicide”, highlighting that “most gamers want to gamble on their cellphones as a substitute of visiting outlets to keep away from controls and rules.”
He additional argued that if sports activities betting is correctly regulated and monitored, “it should generate tax income for the federal government and contribute to financial development.”
In approving the movement, the Home urged the Federal Ministry of Data and Nationwide Steering to conduct complete nationwide campaigns to lift public consciousness on the unfavorable influence of youth participation in sports activities betting.
She has additionally directed her Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs to carry a public listening to on the harmful results and advantages of sports activities betting in Nigeria and report again inside 4 weeks for additional legislative motion.
