A coalition of stakeholders from the gaming, regulatory and health sectors has emphasised the urgent need to prioritise responsible gaming practices to safeguard public health and ensure the sustainability of Nigeria’s booming gambling industry.

The call was made during the 2025 responsible gaming symposium hosted in Lagos State by Gamble Alert, a non-profit organisation dedicated to combating gambling addiction and promoting public awareness.

The symposium, themed “Building a Sustainable Industry Through Responsible Gaming Practice,” convened industry regulators, health professionals, gaming operators and advocacy groups to deliberate on policy gaps and collaborative solutions.

In a keynote address, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, represented by the Head of Special Projects and Mental Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Tolu Ajomale, commended the initiative, describing Gamble Alert’s advocacy as timely and necessary.

He said that while gambling remains a legal activity, the state government is increasingly concerned about its mental health implications, especially as addiction rates rise among young people.

Besides, he noted that fragmentation across the sector from operators to clinics and regulatory agencies had made it difficult to quantify gambling-induced health cases.

Convener of the symposium and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gamble Alert, Fisayo Oke, stressed the importance of responsible gaming as a non-negotiable pillar of sustainability for the gaming industry.

He said the symposium was organised to spark a cross-sector conversation on building a safer and evidence-based ecosystem.

Oke noted that beyond advocacy, they also conduct research and offer treatment support for gambling disorders.

He, however, emphasised that responsibility must be shared, not only among operators and regulators but also players, who must be educated to engage with games as leisure and not a pathway to wealth.

Also speaking, Chairman and Director-General of the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, Boladuro Olajide, admitted that youth addiction remains a serious concern, particularly in states lacking regulatory frameworks.

He said Oyo is one of the few states with an enforceable gaming law, which was revised in 2023 to strengthen licensing and compliance.