A viral post by Instablog, a popular gossip blog, claimed that the House of Representatives is about to stop sports betting in Nigeria, following a motion by Kelechi Nwogu, a lawmaker from Rivers State.
The post sparked reactions from many Nigerians, who expressed their views on the alleged move by the legislators. Some supported the idea, citing the negative effects of sports betting on the society, while others opposed it, arguing that it would deprive many people of their livelihoods and entertainment.
However, a fact check by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has revealed that the claim is inaccurate and misleading. The CDD War Room examined the motion by Nwogu and found that he did not propose to ban sports betting, but rather to address its adverse effects and protect the rights of players.
According to the motion, which was adopted by the House on February 22, 2024, Nwogu expressed concern over the increasing addiction to sports betting among Nigerians, especially the youth. He cited a report by BussinessDay, which stated that Nigerians spend over N730 billion annually on sports betting, and that over 60 million punters spend at least N3,000 daily on bet stakes. He also noted the proliferation of betting sites in Nigeria, which currently number around 50.
Nwogu argued that sports betting poses a threat to the social and economic well-being of Nigerians, as it diverts their attention and resources from productive activities. He also pointed out the lack of adequate regulation and oversight of the betting industry, which exposes players to fraud and exploitation.
To address these issues, Nwogu urged the House to invite the national lottery regulatory commission to brief the lawmakers on the measures taken to ensure compliance with the national lottery act and other relevant laws. He also called for the protection of the rights and interests of Nigerians who engage in sports betting, as well as the promotion of responsible gambling practices.
Contrary to the claim by Instablog, Nwogu did not seek to ban sports betting in Nigeria, but rather to regulate and reform it. He also clarified this on his Twitter handle, where he accused the microblogging platform of spreading false information.
He wrote: “I did not move a motion to ban sports betting in Nigeria. I moved a motion to protect the rights of players and ensure compliance with regulatory provisions. Please disregard any misinformation from any source.”
