After a comprehensive report by DAILY POST on the prevailing negative effects of sports betting on Nigerian youths, the House of Representatives have begun moves to curtail the trend.
DAILY POST had on Sunday, February 11 reported how some Nigerian youths lost their lives, businesses and more due to addiction to sports betting.
Some of the addicted bettors had committed suicide due to depression that followed loss of money in the course of their betting activities.
Barely four days after the report was published, the House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Federal Government to carry out enlightenment campaigns across the country to expose the negative effects of sports betting, particularly on Nigerian youths.
The motion was moved on the floor of the lower chamber during plenary by a member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Nwogu Kelechi.
The motion was titled, “Need to curtail the dangerous effects of sports betting and direct the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to comply with the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act, 2005”.
The lawmaker corroborated the DAILY POST report by saying that the “House is worried that weak or neglected regulations of sports betting have dangerously led to mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or addiction; strained or broken relationships due to lying or stealing from friends and family, financial problems, legal issues, and job loss due to excessive loss or debt, increased crime rates and eventually committing suicide”.
After the motion was adopted, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to conduct a comprehensive campaign nationwide in a bid to raise public awareness about the negative impact of sports betting.
The House also mandated its Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs to conduct a public hearing on the dangerous effects and benefits of sports betting in the country and report back within four weeks for further action.
After DAILY POST report, Reps move to curtail negative effects of sports betting
