The scourge of underage betting in Nigeria
Ikenna Akaelu 23/07/24
Underage betting in Nigeria is a significant concern, given the rapid growth of the gambling industry in the country. Despite legal restrictions, underage individuals often find ways to participate in betting activities, driven by various factors including peer pressure, the allure of quick money, and the pervasive presence of betting shops and online platforms.
In Nigeria, sports betting has become the most popular avenue through which underage citizens have entered the dark world of gambling. The sports betting industry in the country has grown significantly, with numerous companies offering a variety of betting options. Some of the most popular betting companies include Bet9ja; Betway; 1xBet; BetKing; BetWinner; N1Bet; and YangaSport.
These companies offer various promotions, bonuses, and features such as live betting, mobile apps, and competitive odds, making them appealing to Nigerian bettors. Whilst it can be agreed that these companies do provide an important service to the population of the country who are inclined to gambling/betting, there remain real concerns regarding the ease with which vulnerable and underaged persons participate in this industry.
Key Points:
- Legal Framework:
– Nigerian laws, such as the National Lottery Act and the Lagos State Lotteries Law, set the minimum legal gambling age at 18. However, enforcement of these regulations is often lax.
- Accessibility:
– Betting shops are widespread, even in areas with high concentrations of youth. Many of these establishments do not strictly enforce age verification.
– Online betting platforms are easily accessible to underage individuals who can circumvent age restrictions by using false identification or the accounts of older individuals.
- Social and Economic Factors:
– High levels of poverty and unemployment among youth drive many to seek quick financial gains through betting.
– Peer influence and the normalization of betting as a form of entertainment contribute to the prevalence of underage gambling.
- Consequences:
– Underage betting can lead to addiction, financial problems, and associated mental health issues.
– It may also contribute to increased school drop-out rates and engagement in criminal activities to fund gambling habits.
- Preventive Measures:
– Strengthening the enforcement of existing laws and implementing stricter penalties for non-compliance by betting operators.
– Increasing public awareness about the risks of underage gambling.
– Promoting educational programs in schools to educate young people about the dangers of gambling addiction.
– Encouraging betting companies to adopt and enforce robust age verification processes.
Conclusion:
Organisations such as Gaming safe Initiative (gamsafe.org), through their schools’ outreach, training & empowerment programs, are at the forefront of driving the change that is necessary to make the gambling space safer by ensuring better regulations are in place to protect the most vulnerable in our society.
However, addressing the issue of underage betting in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach involving stricter enforcement of regulations, public education, and the cooperation of betting operators
