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Published on 2024-02-23 03:27:51
The House of Representatives made a recent move to ban sports betting on various platforms such as Bet9ja, 1xBet, 1960bet, and others. However, according to legal practitioner Okanlawon Gaffar, this move may not succeed. In a conversation with Legit.ng, Gaffar emphasized that while the Reps have the power to make laws, those laws must be aligned with principles of equity, justice, and good conscience.
In light of the recent removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria, it has been reported that many Nigerians have turned to sports betting and loans for survival amidst challenging economic conditions. Gaffar expressed the view that the sports betting companies have already taken measures to prevent minors from participating, suggesting that the move to ban them may not be successful.
These developments have prompted quite a bit of reaction among prominent figures in Nigeria. The lawmakers adopted a motion to stop sports betting activities in Nigeria, urging the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to ensure compliance with the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act 2005. However, it is important to consider the prevalence of betting companies in Nigeria, which include Msport, 1xbet, Naijabet, Nairabet, Betway, Bet9ja, Sportybet, Lionsbet, Merrybet, Surebet247, Betfarm, Betland, 1960bet, Betking, and 9japredict.
Despite the move by the House of Representatives, Okanlawon Gaffar pointed out the constitutional powers of the National Assembly to make laws for the general population. However, he stressed the importance of aligning these laws with the principles of justice, equity, and good conscience. Additionally, there was skepticism expressed that the lawmakers might fail in their attempts to ban sports betting. Another point of contention comes from lawmaker Akin Alabi, who claimed that his colleague’s motion to ban sports betting was misquoted and misreported, thus creating confusion regarding the nature of the proposed ban.
The situation has brought to light the ongoing debates surrounding laws and morality, especially regarding legislation related to social issues such as sports betting. Although there are attempts to reduce gambling, the legal expert suggested that the motion to ban sports betting may not ultimately be successful.
In a related development, lawmaker Oluwole Oke has sponsored a bill in the House of Representatives to establish three new states in Nigeria: Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, and Ife Ijesa. The potential creation of these new states, if the bill is passed into law, would make the southwest region the area with the highest number of states in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives’ move to ban sports betting in Nigeria has sparked significant attention and reaction. However, legal experts and other lawmakers have questioned the feasibility of such a measure and its alignment with constitutional and ethical standards. The ongoing discussions concerning the regulation of sports betting and other legislative activities highlight the complexities and nuances of policymaking in Nigeria’s current socio-economic context.
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