22Bet Responsible Gaming

What is Responsible Gambling?

Gambling should be entertainment, much like watching a football match or going to the cinema. Responsible gambling means enjoying the game while keeping it within limits that protect your money, your time, and your peace of mind.
Here are some simple points to keep in mind before you gamble:

1. Budget first. Decide how much you can afford to lose before you place the first bet and stick to it.
2. Time‑out. Set a timer on your phone. When it rings, cash out and move on.
3. Know the odds. Most virtual slot machines return 90-97 % of stakes over time, which still means the house keeps at least ₦3 of every ₦100 you play.
4. Use 22Bet’s safety tools. Inside the Responsible Gaming tab of your 22Bet profile, you can:

• Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits.
• Enable reality‑check pop‑ups every 60 minutes.
• Apply a time‑out from 24 hours up to 6 months.
• Request self‑exclusion for one year or permanently.

Turning these on takes less than a minute and locks in your limits across desktop and mobile.

Recent nationwide surveys suggest that about 1 in 4 Nigerian adults places at least one sports bet each year, and young adults (18-35) account for more than half of that group. Early education is, therefore, crucial.

Signs of problems

Sometimes, fun crosses an invisible line. Watch for these early warning lights:

1. Chasing losses. Raising stake sizes after every loss in an attempt to “win it all back.”
2. Borrowing or selling items to fund bets.
3. Mood swings. Feeling irritable when not betting or elated only when gambling.
4. Hiding statements or deleting betting‑app alerts, so family members don’t see them.
5. Skipping work, school, or social events to gamble, either online or at a pool shop.

Take the case of a Lagos entrepreneur — let’s call him Chidi. He once skipped 3 investor meetings because he felt he was “one win away.” By the time he stopped, his losses had crept above NGN 1 million — more than the seed capital he needed for his start‑up.

Getting professional help

You are not alone, and support is confidential.

• Federal Neuro‑Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba (Lagos): 0815 517 0000 or 0803 719 6624.
• Federal Neuro‑Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna: +234 818 198 6590.
• National Lottery Regulatory Commission consumer line: +234 810  259 4986.
• 22Bet Responsible Gaming support: Live chat 24/7 at 22Bet.ng, phone +234 907 026 3332, or email support@22bet.ng for limit changes or self‑exclusion
• Gamblers Anonymous Nigeria: Visit gamblersanonymous.org and search “Nigeria” for the Zoom link to their weekly virtual meetings.
• Free online chat counselling at gamblingtherapy.org (live advisors available 24×7).

If you feel tempted between sessions, install a blocking software such as BetBlocker or ask your mobile network for a voluntary betting‑site restriction.

Finally, involve someone you trust. Hand over your betting apps’ passwords to a friend or spouse for a cooling‑off period. According to addiction specialist Dr. Ngozi Eze, “Accountability doubles the chance of recovery.”