Reps Want Monitoring System For Sports Betting Industry

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, Canice Nwachukwu, has called for establishment of a central monitoring system for the sports betting industry in the country.

Mr Nwachukwu who stated this in Abuja at an interactive session with stakeholders in the Nigerian sports betting industry said the Committee was not going to call for the shutting down of the sector but must ensure it follows laid down rules so it does not become inimical to society.

“We are all Nigerians. We would not go against people doing their business. They have the right to exercise their franchise. But what we are saying is we have to play within the rules of the game.

“We have to arm the system to control and enforce all the provisions that would allow gaming and betting to flow smoothly without becoming a social menace.

“I am not going to be here to say we are going to shut gaming and betting and people operating in that sector. What we would do is to make sure there is a level playing ground whereby all the mechanisms that should be put in place to ensure it does not become inimical to the society.

“We have to play within the rules of engagement. That comes to the issue of a central monitoring system. It must be introduced. This is going to a reasonable extent to help solve some of the problems we are having now.

“By the time we have the system in place some of these stories would become history. It is not going to be completely eradicated but to a reasonable extent it will solve some of these issues.”

Deputy Director of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Sandra Agbor, urged that while awaiting the review and passage of the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission Act 2005, the President should enact an Executive Order on the dangers of sports betting in Nigeria.

Speaking on the contribution of sports betting to the economy, she said Nigerians invest about $2 billion a year into sports betting.

Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, said lottery and gaming remains a veritable development instrument to make sports entertainment a revenue spinning venture.

Represented by the Director Licensing and Operation, Obi Yeregu, Gbajabiamilla said the Commission has put in place more measures to mitigate the adverse effects of sports betting.

The President, Association of Nigerian bookmakers, Olafadeke Akeju, said sports betting industry makes significant contributions to the Nigerian economy through job creation, tax revenue generation, and investment in local communities.

She said by supporting responsible gaming and regulatory compliance, the sports betting industry is contributing to the sustainable growth of the gaming sector.

Head of Legal and Compliance and Stakeholders’ Engagement, KC Gaming Networks Ltd (Bet9ja), Adewale Akande, said sports betting industry is rapidly expanding in Nigeria, and it has been a huge source of revenue to the government at all levels as well as huge employers of labour.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji