The House of Representatives has called for an end to the practice of sports betting in Nigeria, citing concerns about its harmful effects on society. The House has urged the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to enforce the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act, which was enacted in 2005 to regulate the industry and prevent illegal and unethical practices.
The House believes that sports betting has become a dangerous and addictive activity that is harming the Nigerian people and must be eliminated.
The House of Representatives’ resolution came after Rep. Kelechi Nwogu (PDP-Rivers) brought forward a motion during the plenary session in Abuja on Thursday. Nwogu cited a recent report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), which found that approximately 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 are engaged in sports betting. The report also highlighted the negative social and economic impacts of sports betting on individuals and communities.
Nwogu argued that the rise of sports betting has led to an increase in crime rates, as well as other negative social impacts. He called for a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the issue, particularly among young people. In response, the House of Representatives passed a resolution calling on the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to conduct such a campaign. The House also asked the Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs to hold a public hearing on the issue within four weeks, in order to recommend further legislative action.
According to data from the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), more than 65 million Nigerians are actively engaged in sports betting, with each person spending an average of 15 dollars per day. In total, Nigerians spend an estimated 975 million dollars every day on online sports betting, which amounts to about 356 billion dollars per year. These figures illustrate the significant economic impact of sports betting in Nigeria, as well as the potential social consequences of its widespread popularity.