Nigeria: States rally behind campaign to combat gambling addiction
State leaders partner with Gamble Alert to curb gambling addiction and promote mental health support.
Nigeria.- In a country where gambling has become a daily habit for millions, two Nigerian states are stepping in to curb the risks. Lagos and Oyo states have thrown their support behind Gamble Alert’s nationwide campaign for responsible gambling, marking a decisive move toward protecting players before luck runs out.
The pledge was made at the recent 2025 Responsible Gaming Symposium in Lagos, where health officials, regulators and industry leaders gathered to confront the rising social cost of Nigeria’s fast-growing igaming scene.
Gamble Alert’s Chief Executive Officer and founder, Fisayo Oke, said the symposium served as a platform to bridge the gap between health experts, gaming operators, researchers and regulators.
“This platform is designed to shape robust policy and promote sustainable practices in the industry. Responsible gaming is not optional. It is critical to the survival of the sector,” he said, according to Punch Newspapers.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, called Gamble Alert a game changer, taking on the gambling giants, pushing for addiction support and rallying the nation toward safer play.
“We are encouraged by the work of organisations like Gamble Alert, advocating for responsible gambling and engaging stakeholders to provide safety nets for users. Gambling cannot be banned outright, but it must be made safer for those at risk of addiction,” he said.
Abayomi stressed the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration and a unified national database to track gambling-related health issues, adding that while gaming companies are required to offer self-exclusion options, enforcement remains inconsistent.
“There is a need to standardise and make these safety measures mandatory across all platforms,” he said.
Investment in mental health
He also highlighted Lagos state’s investments in mental health infrastructure, including helplines and trained personnel across health institutions. He revealed the construction of a new 500-bed mental health hospital with an additional 1,000-bed rehabilitation unit.
Oyo State echoed the urgency. Boladuro Olajide, Chairman and Director General of the Oyo State Gaming and Lotteries Board, revealed that the state launched gambling regulations in 2023 and now promotes responsible gaming in rural areas through campaigns, roadshows and radio outreach.
As Nigeria’s gambling scene hits the fast lane, the team up between Gamble Alert and state governments marks a sharp turn where regulation, public health and social responsibility come together.
