In a move to curb the rising mental health crisis linked to gambling addiction and other behavioral disorders, the Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to construct a 500-bed psychiatric hospital, complemented by a 1,000-bed rehabilitation centre, the largest facility of its kind in West Africa.
The landmark project was announced during the Responsible Gaming Symposium organized by Gamble Alert in Lagos.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who was represented by Head of Special Projects and Mental Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Tolu Ajomale, described the initiative as a strategic investment geared towards reinforcing the state’s mental health infrastructure.
“This is a strategic investment directed by Mr. Governor to strengthen our mental healthcare system and address gambling as a growing public health concern,” Abayomi stated.
The announcement signals the government’s most significant policy shift yet in responding to the health threats posed by Nigeria’s rapidly expanding gaming industry, particularly among youths and low-income earners who are most at risk of addiction.
While acknowledging that gambling remains a legal and revenue-generating enterprise, Prof. Abayomi warned of its hidden costs, ranging from addiction and depression to broader societal instability. He praised Gamble Alert for its advocacy and emphasized the urgent need for industry-wide harm-reduction strategies.
“Operators must provide self-exclusion tools, but right now these are optional for users,” he noted. “We’re working to standardize these safeguards and enforce them through robust regulatory frameworks.”
The commissioner also revealed plans to develop a centralized national database to track gambling-related mental health cases, noting that current data remains scattered across hospitals, regulators, and gaming operators, thereby hindering effective response.
To ensure that awareness reaches all segments of society, especially underserved communities, Lagos State is scaling up grassroots sensitisation campaigns. These include radio jingles, outreach programs, flyers, and roadshows, particularly in informal urban settlements where unregulated gambling is prevalent.
“We’re committed to working with NGOs, regulators, and community groups to make responsible gaming the norm,” Prof. Abayomi added.
Also speaking at the event, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gamble Alert, Mr. Fisayo Oke, said the symposium was designed to spark meaningful dialogue and drive essential policy reforms in Nigeria’s gaming sector.
“Responsible gaming is not optional, it’s a business imperative. Protecting consumers ensures long-term sustainability for the industry,” Oke said.
He acknowledged that completely eliminating gambling-related harm may be unrealistic but stressed that coordinated action can substantially reduce its impact.
Oke urged regulators and industry players to adopt preventive tools, enforce existing safeguards, and invest more in consumer protection initiatives.
“Players must understand how to gamble responsibly, while operators must build safer platforms,” he added, highlighting the shared responsibility between the industry and the public.
With the Nigerian gaming market growing at a rapid pace, Oke called for urgent and deliberate policy shifts to mitigate emerging risks, particularly among young and vulnerable populations.
“The conversation must lead to action,” he stressed. “Everyone, government, industry, and civil society, has a role to play.”
Lending his voice to the advocacy, Director General of the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, Mr. Olajide Boladuro, warned Nigerian youths against viewing gambling as a pathway to wealth, emphasizing its detrimental links to addiction, debt, and mental health challenges.
“Gambling is not a path to prosperity,” he said. “Our youths should focus on productive ventures, not betting kiosks.”
Boladuro noted that Oyo State had undertaken critical regulatory reforms since 2023, including the tightening of licensing processes, improved accountability for gaming operators, and the adoption of enforcement models aligned with international best practices.
He cited the recent £5 million fine imposed on a UK-based betting company for permitting underage gambling as an example of regulatory action Oyo State aims to emulate.
To deepen its outreach, the board has extended responsible gaming education to rural communities such as Fopa and Igbo Elerin through roadshows, local radio broadcasts, and community engagement programs, supported by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Warning of the psychological risks associated with unregulated gambling, Boladuro said early intervention is crucial.
“Depression, anxiety, even suicide—these are real outcomes,” he warned, urging youths to regard gambling as a form of leisure, not a means of livelihood.
He also advocated for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations, and gaming operators to promote financial literacy, mental health awareness, and regulatory compliance.
“Gambling is not a job,” Boladuro emphasized. “It’s just a game, and it should stay that way.”
The symposium brought together health professionals, regulatory authorities, gaming operators, and civil society groups to forge a new path toward safer gambling practices and sustainable policy reforms across Nigeria.
