Nigerian law explicitly prohibits underage gambling, setting the minimum age for participation at 18 years.
The Nigerian Gaming Act and the National Lottery Act, 2005, both stipulate that anyone under 18 found participating in gambling activities is breaking the law, and operators who facilitate underage gambling face significant penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment.
Despite these legal provisions, enforcement remains weak, and digital platforms have made it easier for minors to bypass age restrictions, often using fake identities or relatives’ documents to register for betting accounts.
The consequences of underage gambling under Nigerian law are severe for both the minors and the operators.
Section 34 of the National Lottery Act, 2005, states that any person who sells lottery tickets to someone under 18 commits an offence and is liable to a fine of at least N20,000 or imprisonment for not less than one year, or both.
Regulatory bodies like the FCT Lottery Regulatory Office (FCT-LRO) have been established to enforce these rules and penalize violators, but actual implementation and monitoring are still inadequate, especially in rural and less-regulated areas.
Solutions proposed to curb underage gambling include stricter digital age verification systems, mandatory use of Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) for registration, and increased public awareness campaigns targeting schools and communities.
The FCT-LRO and similar agencies are also collaborating with technology providers to block underage users from accessing gambling platforms and to monitor suspicious account activities.
However, these measures are still in their early stages and require sustained political will and community support to be effective.
The recorded damages resulting from underage gambling in Nigeria are significant and multifaceted. Studies have shown that a large proportion of school-age children have gambled at least once, with some developing addiction problems.
The psychological impact includes depression, anxiety, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.
Many minors who gamble lose substantial amounts of money, leading to financial strain, debt, and sometimes involvement in criminal activities to recover losses.
Socially, underage gambling has been linked to family dysfunction, breakdown of relationships, and poor academic performance.
Families of affected minors often experience emotional distress and financial hardship as children divert household resources to gambling.
The erosion of values and increased exposure to risky behaviors further compound these problems, leading to a generation that is less prepared for productive adult life.
Health professionals and social workers have reported an increase in mental health cases among adolescents linked to gambling addiction, including cases of self-harm and suicide.
These issues place additional burdens on Nigeria’s already overstretched healthcare system and highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and support services for affected youths.
Experts recommend a multi-pronged approach to address underage gambling, including stronger enforcement of existing laws, enhanced parental and community involvement, and robust mental health support systems.
Educational campaigns in schools and communities are crucial to raising awareness about the risks and consequences of gambling, while improved regulatory oversight can help prevent minors from accessing gambling platforms.
In summary, Nigerian law clearly prohibits underage gambling and provides for penalties against both minors and operators, but enforcement remains weak.
The recorded damages include psychological distress, financial loss, family dysfunction, and increased rates of suicide and mental health problems among youths.
Effective solutions require a combination of legal enforcement, digital safeguards, public education, and support services to mitigate the harmful effects of underage gambling in Nigeria.