ONLINE GAMBLING AND CHILD PROTECTION: A CASE FOR REVIEW OF THE REGULATORY PROTECTION FOR UNDERAGE PERSONS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Online gambling is faced with several challenges that have posed regulatory difficulty to gambling transaction. One of such challenge is the issue of Underage Gambling. The use of Internet and other Digital Media by young persons for purposes of gambling represents a serious concern. Despite clear prohibitive legislation excluding minor or young person from all relevant gambling products, Online Gambling has proven to be resistant to such regulation as a result of the challenges inherent in this medium or channel of Gambling. This article adopts doctrinal research methods to examine Online gambling in Nigeria. It assesses the prohibitive provisions on Child gambling and regulatory challenges in Nigeria, making apt comparison of online gambling to other form of gambling-like activities and proposes practical and regulatory recommendations for possible reforms to guarantee adequate protection for under-aged Persons in Nigeria. The paper seeks to educate the Government, Gaming Services Providers, the general public and Stakeholders of the Gambling Industry in Nigeria.