Lagos: Gaming and gambling addiction has placed a huge burden on mental health, with inadequate data and effective sanctions as major barriers to addressing the addiction, stakeholders say.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, gambling is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as risking money (or another item of value) on an event of uncertain outcome, with the possibility of gaining an increased return.
The WHO noted that various forms of gambling, such as betting, lotteries, ‘Baba Ijebu’, slot machines, casino games, and bingo, are prevalent in both physical and online formats. In modern times, electronic gambling machines (EGMs) and casino games have often been linked to significant risk and harm.
The legal status of gambling varies globally, with many jurisdictions having legalized it, thereby making it accessible online almost anywhere, even in places where it is officially prohibited. However, the WHO identifies potential harms of gambling, including financial stress, relationship breakdown
, family violence, mental illness, and suicide.
TechTarget describes gaming as playing electronic video games, often on platforms like gaming consoles, PCs, or smartphones. Excessive gaming can lead to a disorder characterized by impaired control and persisting negative health outcomes, such as disrupted sleep patterns, low physical activity levels, poor nutrition, and mental health issues, as explained by Dr. Vladimir Poznyak from the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Director of Special Projects and Mental Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, highlighted that gambling addiction often goes untreated due to stigma, with individuals usually presenting severe secondary symptoms like anxiety, depression, and domestic violence at health facilities. This lack of direct treatment obscures the true extent of gambling-related psychological harm, leaving authorities in the dark.
A panel session during the Responsible Gaming Symposium organized by Gamble Alert Nigeria
in Lagos emphasized the hidden mental health crisis in Africa’s growing gaming market. The panel noted that gambling advertisements and welcome bonuses could distort player psychology, making betting appear safer and more rewarding than it is.
Mr. Chima Onwuka, Chairman of the Lotteries Operators Forum, shared his personal experience with gambling, stressing that welcome bonuses might mask the true impact of gambling. Jeremiah Maangi, CEO of iGaming Afrika, proposed adopting a ‘speed limit’ model for enforcing compliance with gambling regulations, similar to traffic fines.
Mr. Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, CEO of the Africa Gaming Alliance, called for developing a player protection framework aligned with African realities and international best practices. Meanwhile, Mr. Fisayo Oke, CEO of GambleAlert, highlighted the integration of AI psychologists into their platform to offer confidential support before human intervention is needed.
Mrs. Adetoun Adeyemi from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority ackno
wledged the addiction and social challenges associated with gaming, but also noted its economic contributions. Mr. Bashir Are, CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, stressed the importance of a robust framework to promote responsible gaming and protect individuals from the addictive nature of gaming and gambling.