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Reps Retract Proposal to Scrap Sports Betting, Advocate for Stringent Monitoring Measures

This was stressed by Chairman Hon. Canice Nwachukwu at a public hearing at the Abuja National Assembly Complex.

Instead of outright banning sports betting, the House of Representatives Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs suggested setting up a Central Monitoring System to lessen its detrimental effects.

At a public hearing held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Chairman Hon. Canice Nwachukwu underlined this point and urged adherence to the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act in order to successfully govern the industry.

He stressed the importance of enforcing existing rules to prevent sports betting from harming society.

The lawmaker said, “We are all Nigerians. We would not go against people doing their business. They have rights 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 out 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.”

Furthermore, the choice to keep sports betting within the legal parameters takes into account the fact that prohibition by itself is unlikely to completely eradicate the desire for gambling. Rather than this, legislators are concentrating on putting policies into place that will lessen the dangers of sports betting while still allowing players to make their own decisions. To encourage responsible gaming, there is a growing understanding of the necessity of education and awareness campaigns in addition to regulatory control. Stakeholders can collaborate to promote a safer and more sustainable gambling environment by arming consumers with knowledge about the dangers of compulsive gambling and giving them access to support services.

The House of Representatives Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs took a practical approach to regulation change when they decided to back down from their plan to outlaw sports betting and instead support strict monitoring measures. Legislators are proactively addressing the issues raised by the sports betting sector while defending the rights of consumers and encouraging responsible gaming habits by putting in place a Central Monitoring System and placing a strong emphasis on observing current laws.

 

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