In a bid to curb the proliferation of sports betting, the House of Representatives has taken a decisive stand, calling upon the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to enforce the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act of 2005.
The move came after Rep. Kelechi Nwogu spearheaded a motion during Thursday’s plenary session in Abuja.
Recent reports by MAGIC FM have highlighted the staggering figure of approximately 60 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 40, involved in sports betting.
Rep. Nwogu underscored the detrimental effects of lax regulations, citing a surge in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. He further emphasized the strain on interpersonal relationships, financial woes, legal entanglements, and even job loss stemming from excessive gambling-related debt.
“Betting fuels a spike in criminal activities, culminating tragically in suicide,” Nwogu stated, stressing the urgency of preventative campaigns to mitigate the adverse societal impacts and prevent underage participation in gambling.
