The House of Representatives has resolved to stop sports betting in the country.
In this regard, they have urged the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to comply with the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act, 2005.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Kelechi Nwogu (PDP-Rivers) at plenary in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the lawmakers, weak or neglected regulations of sports betting have given rise to mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Nwogu added that it had also led to strain 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.
“Betting has given rise to increased crime rate and eventual suicide,” he said.
Speaking with this medium, a staff of SportyBet, who pleaded anonymity, described the move by the lawmakers as ill-timed due to the current economic hardship in the country.
He questioned why the government would consider clamping down on an industry, which is a major source of employment.
The source said, “It is ridiculous. This government is confused. In a country where people are struggling to make ends meet, they want to crush the masses with another policy that will render more people jobless. It is very insensitive.”
Also speaking, a punter, Emmanuel Abraham, said the government was trying to create a distraction and divert public attention from the sorry state of the economy.
