Social media influencer, Reno Omokri, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action and ban sports betting apps in Nigeria, citing potential economic benefits and the preservation of the Naira’s value.
In a series of tweets shared via his X profile on Wednesday, Omokri expressed concern over the substantial amount of money spent on gambling in the country, quoting the National Lottery Trust Fund’s revelation that “$1 billion is spent on gambling daily in Nigeria.”
Omokri suggested that an Executive Order from President Tinubu, empowering the Nigerian Communications Commission to remove sports betting apps from GSM Internet Service Providers’ App Stores and revoking licenses of physical sports betting operators, could positively impact the nation’s economy.
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He argued that such a move would make more sense than the controversial Twitter ban implemented by President Buhari.
The media influencer highlighted that an average Nigerian spends $15 daily on sports betting and other forms of gambling.
He expressed worry about the majority of these funds leaving Nigeria for foreign nations, posing a threat to the nation’s economy.
In his tweets, Omokri emphasized the urgency of addressing the gambling epidemic in Nigeria, stating that it is detrimental to the country’s youth.
He called on President Tinubu to act on this matter, asserting that the Naira cannot sustain its rally under such circumstances.
It is noteworthy that several sports betting firms operate in Nigeria, including Bet9ja, Nairabet, Merry Bet, and SportyBet, among others.
The call for intervention in the gaming sector aligns with recent discussions at the 2023 International Gaming Conference, where the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, pledged the government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to revenue generation issues in the gaming industry.
The National Lottery Trust Fund’s revelation that it generated N2.5 billion in 2023 underscores the financial magnitude of the gaming sector, with the funds allocated to various national projects.
President Tinubu’s response to this appeal and the potential impact on the gaming industry remains to be seen.
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