Responsible Gaming Foundation Sparks Nationwide Conversation with ‘Behind the Bets’
Published by Borderless MediaNg
Gambling has quietly grown into one of the fastest-rising industries in Nigeria and across Africa, feeding on dreams of quick riches and overnight success. But behind the bright lights, the laughter, and the thrill of the win lies a darker, often untold story one of addiction, debt, and despair.
The new documentary “Behind the Bets”, produced by the Responsible Gaming Against Addiction Foundation, shines a light on the human cost of gambling. It captures the voices of those who live at the intersection of hope and heartbreak addicts, families, mental health experts, and regulators confronting the harsh realities of gambling addiction in Nigeria.
At the premiere of Behind the Bets, Dr. Arit Esangbedo, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, and Chairperson of the Substance Use Disorder Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), described gambling addiction as a looming public health crisis demanding urgent national attention.
Dr. Esangbedo, who also serves as the President of the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (SURPIN), emphasized that gambling-related harms can no longer be tackled in silos. She called for strong partnerships and multi-sectoral collaboration involving government agencies, the gaming industry, and responsible gaming organizations.
“We must work collectively rather than in isolation,” she said. “The consequences of gambling addiction are far-reaching, affecting not just individuals but entire families and communities.”
She further advocated for the creation of a National Trust Fund dedicated to Advocacy, Prevention, Treatment, Recovery, and Research. According to her, such a fund would help ensure sustainable, coordinated action against gambling-related harms in Nigeria.
The State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos Command, AGCN A.L. Wali, represented by Commandant Chinyerem Eziaghighala, praised the Lagos State Government for its ongoing interventions in addressing gambling-related harms.
However, he raised a crucial concern the primary victims of gambling addiction remain the least beneficiaries of these well-intentioned efforts.
“The people who need help the most are not getting enough of it,” he observed. “Our interventions must reach those who are directly affected the addicted gamblers and their families.”
He urged Lagos State and other stakeholders to intensify community outreach and support services that directly address treatment and recovery.
In her remarks, Margaret Osa, representing the CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), Mr. Bashir Are, commended the Behind the Bets documentary for spotlighting the crucial work of regulators.
“This documentary effectively highlights the efforts of the LSLGA and other bodies in promoting responsible gaming across Lagos State,” she said.
Osa reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that the gaming industry operates within ethical and socially responsible frameworks prioritizing player protection, transparency, and public education.
Representing the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Taiwo Oduguwa (Special Grade One), restated the hospital’s readiness to partner with stakeholders in tackling gambling addiction.
He assured that the hospital remains open to offering treatment and rehabilitation services to individuals struggling with gambling addiction, in line with standard medical protocols.
“We are ready to collaborate with the Responsible Gaming Against Addiction Foundation and others in this fight,” he stated. “However, treatment will follow standard institutional procedures and regulated fees.”
Behind the Bets does more than expose the hidden struggles it calls on society to take responsibility. The documentary challenges governments, gaming operators, and citizens alike to move beyond awareness to action building systems of support, recovery, and prevention.
For the Responsible Gaming Against Addiction Foundation, this documentary is not just storytelling it’s a wake-up call. As gambling continues to rise in Nigeria’s digital economy, so must the nation’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable players.
Learn more at: Responsible Gaming Against Addiction Foundation
