A summit aimed at preventing the harm that comes to young people as a result of gambling is being organised in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, by Gaming Safe (GamSafe) Initiative, a nonprofit organisation.
The summit, titled “FCT’s Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Summit 2025” with the theme, “Building a strong and sustainable gambling harm prevention ecosystem for young people through societal & policy reforms”, will take place on June 19, 2025 at the Velodrome National Stadium.
The summit will be attended by public and private secondary schools in the FCT, civic & civil organisations, youths, stakeholders, religious institutions, parents, etc.
Speaking with journalists recently in Abuja, Barrister Immaculata Amaka Mbaso, Founder/CEO of Gamsafe Initiative, said the aim of the summit is to “raise awareness about underage gambling and safer gambling practices as well as share best practices for preventing underage gambling.”
Besides fostering collaboration with industry stakeholders to promote underage gambling prevention, Mbaso said, the summit will discuss effective support services for individuals, especially the under-aged with gambling problems and how families, schools and the community can support.
She said “the summit will bring stakeholders, students, teachers, parents, youths, etc., together to discuss ways and strategies for preventing under-age gambling and equipping families, schools and community on what to watch out for and ways to curb and prevent this often over-looked but dangerous vice that has the tendency to co-occur with other vices like drugs and alcohol.
The summit, the convener said, “is also aimed at finding ways to support young people affected by gambling-related harm through informed evidence-based policies and regulations.”
To tackle this fast growing menace, GamSafe plans to partner and collaborate with government bodies, educational institutions, religious institutions, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to help students and young people improve learning outcomes to better combat the harmful effects of underage gambling through active school programs.
