Social Media Influencer Reno Omokri Calls on President Tinubu to Ban Sports Betting Apps | Cliptv Online

…citing Economic and Naira Value Concerns

By Abraham Adaranijo

Omokri Argues for Immediate Action to Curb $1 Billion Daily Spending on Gambling in Nigeria

Renowned social media influencer, Reno Omokri, has taken to his X profile to urge President Bola Tinubu to implement a ban on sports betting apps in Nigeria. Omokri believes that such a ban could contribute to improving the value of the Naira, as he expressed concern over the staggering $1 billion spent on gambling daily in the country, citing data from the National Lottery Trust Fund.

In a series of tweets, Omokri proposed that President Tinubu issue an Executive Order authorizing the Nigerian Communications Commission to ban sports betting apps from GSM Internet Service Providers’ App Stores and revoke licenses of physical sports betting operators in Nigeria. He argued that this move would make more sense than the recent #TwitterBan imposed by President Buhari.

Highlighting the economic impact, Omokri pointed out that an average Nigerian spends $15 daily on sports betting and other forms of gambling, with a significant portion of this amount leaving the country’s economy for foreign destinations such as Russia, South Africa, and Europe. He expressed concern about the negative effects of the gambling epidemic on Nigerian youths and emphasized that the Naira cannot sustain its rally under such circumstances.

Omokri also drew attention to the national security threat posed by the widespread gambling epidemic and condemned the illegal means some Nigerian youths employ to fund their gambling habits. The call for action comes amid ongoing discussions within the government on finding a lasting solution to challenges in the gaming sector, as highlighted by the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, during the 2023 International Gaming Conference. The National Lottery Trust Fund’s recent report on generating N2.5 billion in 2023, spent on various projects across the country, adds further context to the conversation surrounding the gaming industry’s impact on the nation’s economy.