Reno Omokri Calls for Ban on Nigerian Sports Betting Apps and Operators

In a fervent plea to President Tinubu, renowned commentator Reno Omokri has called for immediate action to curb the epidemic of gambling that is wreaking havoc on Nigeria’s economy. Taking to his Twitter handle, Omokri urged Tinubu to intervene decisively to salvage the nation’s economic stability, emphasizing the urgent need to stem the flow of money leaving the country due to widespread gambling practices.

Omokri’s impassioned appeal centered on the proposal to issue an Executive Order authorizing the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ban sports betting apps from the App Store of any GSM Internet Service Provider in Nigeria. Additionally, he suggested the revocation of licenses for physical sports betting operators across the country.

Highlighting alarming statistics, Omokri pointed out that an astonishing $1 billion is being spent daily on gambling activities in Nigeria, as reported by the National Lottery Trust Fund. He underscored the detrimental impact of this massive outflow of funds on the country’s economy, lamenting that a substantial portion of this money is being diverted outside Nigeria, particularly to countries like Russia, South Africa, and Europe.

Omokri’s concern isn’t solely economic. He drew a direct correlation between the prevalence of gambling and the rise in petty crime among Nigerian youths, citing the pursuit of funds to sustain gambling habits as a contributing factor.

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Expressing dissatisfaction with past governance, Omokri criticized the previous administration led by President Buhari for not addressing this pressing issue. He contrasted Buhari’s leadership, labeling it as ineffective, and emphasized the imperative for Tinubu, an experienced accountant, to recognize the economic threat posed by uncontrolled gambling.

The call for action extends beyond economic considerations, as Omokri deems the unregulated gambling industry as a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s national security. He urged Tinubu to take decisive measures to curb the gambling epidemic and its ripple effects on the economy and society at large.

As this issue gains prominence in public discourse, attention turns to President Tinubu’s response and potential measures to combat the pervasive influence of gambling in Nigeria, as advocated by voices like Omokri’s, in the hope of steering the nation toward economic recovery and safeguarding its future.