06 Jun Respondents call for Engagements of Nigerian Youths in Fight Against Betting Dangers

Respondents call for Engagements of Nigerian Youths in Fight Against Betting Dangers

By Nnenna Onwudiwe

Following the recent Public Hearing on dangers of Sports betting activities among the youths in Nigeria by the House of Representatives, the NLRC News crew (of Nnenna Onwudiwe, Garos Gyang and Peace Adukwu) went out to seek the views of Nigerians on the subject matter, as well as their advice on ways Commission could best deal with the challenges around the issue.

Most people were of the opinion that addiction was a major negative challenge prevalent among stakers. From unemployment, to the desperate quest for instant wealth, these opinions summarise the factors leading to this real time betting crisis.

The shared views hold that strict implementation of government laws surrounding betting, and a conscious, well-meaning economic empowerment of young people will have a far-reaching impact in curbing the menace.

Here is our question;

Are you aware that the National Assembly conducted a public hearing on the “Need to curtail the dangerous effects of sports betting and direct the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to comply with the Lottery Act, 2005”. What do you think about the exercise, and how else do you think the NLRC can curtail the dangerous effects of Sports Betting/Gaming in Nigeria?

Here are the responses;

IKENNA ANEKWE (Public Servant)

I am certainly worried about the mental and emotional stress of betting addiction, which has led many to alcoholism, drug abuse, workplace troubles, and varying crimes. We have a responsibility on our hands, and it begins with dissuading the youths from the fevered push for quick money. If the government is willing, partnering with industry stakeholders to ensure regulations around betting, and schools to include betting education as a preventive measure will help our cause.

KEPPY EKPENYONG (Actor)

Whereas, on the one hand, betting can easily slide as a normal social recreational habit, it presents the challenge of addiction. People who bet are determined to win; so betting inspires hope. It unconsciously challenges the ego of the player, and the determination to prove it leads to addiction, which leads to a mental complication. A constant loser loses self identity and self worth as the recurrence of failure takes away from self esteem.

FESTUS OGBUNUDE (Lecturer)

The economic realities of the nation have prompted the people to seek other ways of raising funds; raising these funds can be multi-faceted. To curtail this societal malaise, the government needs to be deliberate in its economic policies as it affects the people. The business should be deliberately organized to ensure there is a fair playing ground for all through provision of security and formulation of policies. Access to single digit or interest-free loans should be provided for SMEs. Public servants should be deliberately encouraged by increase in their emoluments as they interface directly with society. When all these are done, I trust that the urge to engage in betting, as it is predominantly done now, will drastically reduce.

JESSE UNOH (Legislative Aide)

Sports betting has become overly popular because of massive unemployment. For many youths, they have no choice. While enlightenment on its dangers might help, creating jobs will be much more effective in weaning many youths away from dangerous betting.

DR FELIX AKAM (Researcher)

I am worried that easy accessibility of betting platforms may be a source of income to many unemployed people, but the obsession can disrupt daily l i fe, academic pursuits, work responsibilities, money ethics, interpersonal and family relationship as well as affect the mental health of the individual. I would go for curtailing through stricter registration of betting companies, age restriction, advertising restrictions on social media, educational awareness in schools, churches, mosques, and communities. Above all, I propose alternative community programmes that attach lottery winnings to productive hard work as well as youth empowerment programmes.

LIVINGSTONE CHIEKE (Business Consultant)

Adverse effects of sports betting are thriving on the failure of the government to provide the infrastructure and enabling environment for SMEs to operate profitably and optimally. In saner climes, SMEs are the main source of youth employment. Many have been unfortunate victims of this reality because of lack of employment; others because they want to hit big and be celebrated by society. Government must reevaluate the parameters for honouring people. We must return to the days where only those with integrity and by dint of hard work and intellectual sagacity are the ones being celebrated so that youth will begin to appreciate that there is indeed dignity in labour. The teaching of moral instructors in our primary and secondary schools must be brought back and made compulsory for every student.

ELEOJO PEACE (Youth, Abuja)

I only discovered recently about the NLRC and I figured it regulates the activities of lottery operations. Most people do not know it harps on responsible gaming to avoid addictions, I would suggest more awareness campaigns should be carried out to enlighten the populace.

I am not aware of the National Assembly concerns but I believe it is a good initiative only if it will be acted upon. We have had initiatives come up like this in the past and after a while nothing was heard about it anymore. I feel the National Assembly should set a law that limits the number of times a particular player can stake within a given time or month in the operations of the gaming operators. I believe this would be able to curb gaming addiction to a certain extent. I would advise that youths fully understand what lottery/gaming fully entails before engaging in it.

CHIKA ISAAC (Business Analyst)

I am not aware of the concerns of the National Assembly. However, any positively thought-out measure taken to curb the menaces of sports betting addiction would progress in the right direction. It is important to note that addiction starts first from a state of mind which is influenced by a lot of factors including external events then it graduates to simple activities that repeat themselves until a pattern is formed and the subconscious takes over, it is a lot of work.

Gathering data on how sports betting works can be a good start, and its impact in the last few years including the number of participants, how often they play, how often they have won, the average amount spent on betting, the average amount won from betting etc. These data can then help to deduct the triggers and fine-tune the root causes before laying bare a roadmap to curb the addiction.

SHAIBU DORCAS (Nurse)

I doubt the effectiveness of the NLRC regulations. Just like every other body or brand. For example, Cigarette brands “Smokers are liable to die young” or alcohol brands “Drink responsibly”, there is little or no effect of these on the human mind.

I think sensitization on its dangers is always first, campaigns and all that. Possibly setting a limit for the bets. A certain amount or a certain number of times you can bet per season. Registering the betting companies so they can have control and adequate knowledge of centres around the country. Health workers (Psychiatry and mental health workers) should be included in the campaigns, and also possible rehabilitation of those who have already started experiencing addiction.

Youths should understand that there are limits and as we look at the good sides, we should not forget the bad. If you have to bet, you should have a plan. Consider a source of income and it should not be a do or die affair.

ADUKWU GLORY (Receptionist, Abuja)

I have seen first hand how addiction to lottery and gambling made a married man not provide for his family, always thinking he would win in the next game. If measures can be put in place to curb sports betting addictions that would be nice. They should also make these lottery bodies more physical so that the poor man on the street can access them.

I have never seen or heard about the NLRC before, I do not know how they help. Even if they help, it can be to the local man, I am sure it is the bosses in higher places that feel their impacts more. If possible the youths should not participate and if they must, they should know where to draw the line.