Gaming and gambling addiction have placed a huge burden on mental health, with inadequate data and effective sanctions as major barriers to addressing the addiction, stakeholders say.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), gambling is risking money (or another item of value) on an event of uncertain outcome, with the possibility of gaining an increased return.
It noted that betting, lotteries, “Baba Ijebu”, slot machines, casino games, lotteries and bingo are all forms of gambling, physical and/or online.
In modern times, Electronic gambling machines (EGMs) and casino games have often been associated with risk and harm.
WHO also noted that the legal status of gambling varied within and between countries, saying that many jurisdictions had legalised gambling, as it was available online, accessible almost anywhere, at any time, even in places where gambling was prohibited.
However, it identified that gambling could lead to serious harms to health, including financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and suicide.
For gaming, TechTarget described it as playing an electronic video game, often done on a dedicated gaming console, PC or Smartphone.
Dr Vladimir Poznyak, an expert from the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, explained that gaming disorder was a specific pattern of gaming behaviour, whether offline or online, particularly focusing on digital or video gaming.
According to him, this specific pattern of gaming behaviour impairs control, persisting despite negative consequences such as negative health outcomes like disrupted sleep patterns, low physical activity levels, and poor nutrition and mental health issues.
Dr Tolu Ajomale, Director of Special Projects and Mental Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, noted that gambling addiction was stigmatising, and individuals rarely sought gambling treatment directly.
Instead, he said, they overwhelmed health facilities presenting with severe secondary manifestations, including crippling anxiety, clinical depression, massive debt distress, and domestic violence.
He said that this masking of the true crisis left authorities in the dark regarding the actual scale of gambling-related psychological harm.
He noted that without accurate information, the government could not formulate evidence-based policies or deploy targeted psychiatric support for affected individuals.
He emphasised that a robust framework required operators to transparently share data with the government to design responsive mental health interventions.
Similarly, a panel session during the second edition of the Responsible Gaming Symposium organised by Gamble Alert Nigeria in Lagos also highlighted the hidden mental health crisis fueling the continent’s rapidly expanding gaming market
The symposium had the theme “Building Accountability: Strengthening Africa’s Model for Player Protection”.
The panel, “Selling Hope: The Effect of Gambling Advertisements on Player Behaviour highlighted that the “bait in gambling often led players wanting to play more, with some even risking away their earlier “wins’’.
They also warned that welcome bonuses could subtly distort player psychology by making betting appear safer and more rewarding than it really was, especially for new gamblers.
They argued that “welcome offers were deliberately structured to shape expectations and that such incentives could create a psychological effect on the players.
According to them, it gives them the illusion that “oh, I just need to follow up with this because there is an expectation that I’m going to win.”
Mr Chima Onwuka, chairman, Lotteries Operators Forum, recalled his first gambling as a teenager with his own money and losing.
He said that in his own case, that early, unprotected loss discouraged future addiction.
In contrast, he observed that a welcome bonus would offset losses, leaving players unaware of “the true impact of gambling”.
He suggested that regulators should consider the impact of welcome bonuses on player behaviour and consider stricter regulations to ensure responsible gambling practices.
Jeremiah Maangi, CEO of iGaming Afrika in Kenya, said regulators should adopt a “speed limit” model to checkmate welcome bonuses and curb excessive gambling.
Citing Kenya’s approach, Maangi said new enforcement measures took effect just a day earlier, noting that the system issues automatic penalties for violations, much like traffic fines.
“If you exceed the speed limit on the road, you’ll automatically get a bill to pay,” he said.
Maangi acknowledged operators would resist, but argued the industry needs enforceable compliance.
He said most countries have advertising guidelines, yet operators often flout them because penalties are vague, fines are low, and court cases take too long.
He emphasised that guidelines must be followed, and if flouted, sanctions must be enforced, urging regulators to create mechanisms that make compliance unavoidable.
He opined that clear guidelines and penalties for non-compliance were necessary to ensure operators adhere to regulations.
According to him, current penalties are often insufficient to deter operators from violating regulations, as the process of enforcement is lengthy and fines are minimal.
As such, he advocated for stricter penalties and clear guidelines to make operators more compliant with regulations, thereby creating a safer gambling environment.
In a keynote address, the chief executive officer of the Africa Gaming Alliance, Mr Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, said there was a need to develop a player protection framework to suit African realities while aligning with international best practices.
The address was read by the Head of Legal and Chief Compliance Officer of PawaTech, Mrs Olabimpe Akingba.
Akingba, head of Responsible Gaming, pawaTech, said the continent’s gaming industry was growing exponentially, making accountability and consumer protection increasingly important.
She urged regulators, operators, researchers and civil society organisations to work together in creating a sustainable model for safer and responsible gaming.
The Chief Executive Officer of GambleAlert, Mr Fisayo Oke, highlighted some ways the organisation was helping to tackle associated mental health challenges in the industry.
According to him, such ways include integrating AI psychologists into its online platform, offering confidential support before human intervention is required.
“When users visit the website, they are first greeted by the AI psychologist, which initiates conversations, assesses needs, and generates confidential reports for trained professionals.
He noted that the AI was not in a position to make final decisions; instead, it would flag cases for human follow-up, preserving both privacy and clinical judgment.
“This model helps manage high demand efficiently while maintaining trust and safeguarding sensitive personal information.
Oke said that the symposium had transformed to an international gathering, following its debut in 2025, hosting regulators, operators and stakeholders across Africa.
He assured that future editions would place greater emphasis on preventive measures aimed at reducing gambling-related harm before addiction develops.
Mrs Adetoun Adeyemi, Head of Legal Services, Secretary and Lagos Adviser at the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, also highlighted that there were addiction and other social challenges associated with gaming.
Nevertheless, she said the industry was relevant as it also contributed its own share to the economy of the nation.
Mr Bashir Are, CEO, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), stressed the need for a robust framework to protect the industry and promote responsible gaming.
“We need to protect the industry so that our people will not be taken advantage of.”
He also warned that people should be aware that gambling and gaming could be addictive, just like alcohol, noting that gaming’s risks demanded stricter oversight, sustained awareness and collaboration. (NAN)
