INFLUENCE OF SMARTPHONES AND THE INCREASE IN ONLINE GAMBLING IN KEFFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE

ABSTRACT This Study was on “Influence of Smartphones and the Increase in Online Gambling in Keffi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State”. Specifically, the study objectives were: to establish the causes of online gambling among the youths in Keffi town, to determine the effects of online gambling among the youths in Keffi town, to establish possible regulations concerning online gambling in Nigeria and to suggest best practices in addressing problems of online gambling addiction in Nigeria. In carrying out this research work, the survey method was used. The research population was drawn from youths of Keffi town, the population to be survey must be clearly defined before any research can be carried out. Therefore, the population of the study focused on the youths of Keffitown with total population of 127,150. The sampling size for the research is 399 respondents from the population of Keffi youths. In all 399 questionnaires was administered and 350 were returned. The study recommended that the parents or guardians should be enlightened on the significance of continued parenting on youths. This will help in the collaborative efforts to identify possible gambling related behaviour and problems among youths and provide appropriate cautioning and help, also gambling related issues should be legislated upon to curb the indiscriminate establishment of gambling centres in the country and psychologist should intensify their effort to organize seminars/conferences on the implications of gambling processes on youths’ behaviour and general wellbeing.