WHO WE ARE
Gaming Safe (GamSafe) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the harmful effects of unsafe gambling and underage gambling. Our mission is to advocate for better policies to protect young and vulnerable individuals from gaming and gambling-related harm.
As Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran famously said, "Hell is not in torture; Hell is in an empty heart." It's evident that the gambling and gaming landscape in Nigeria/Africa is fueled by empty hearts. What was once an enjoyable pastime has become a breeding ground for addiction and excessive gambling, creating a dilemma between pursuing one's passion and succumbing to addiction.
At GAMSAFE, we aim to address this issue by transforming the gambling ecosystem into one where gambling is seen as entertainment rather than a means to an end. We don't just rely on modern approaches; we strive to establish a heartfelt connection between our vision and the people we aim to assist.
OUR SOCIAL PURPOSE
Our social purpose is to create awareness, inform, educate, and advocate about safer gambling and underage gambling prevention, and signpost those struggling to appropriate channels for treatment. We organize structured educational sensitization programs for schools, communities, and corporate world.
DREAM / AIM
GAMSAFE’s core desire is to create a safe, trusted, and impactful Ecologically balanced ecosystem through an effective partnership and collaboration among the stakeholders in the gaming industry.
OUR VALUES
We’re a human centric organisation, and our humaneness is the foundation of our values. Our values are sewn in COMPETENCE, COMPASSION & CREATIVITY.
OUR MODE OF OPERATION
Schools & College Outreach
We value the importance of social connection as humans, particularly as Africans. Therefore, we adopt an holistic approach to address and prevent underage gambling through outreach programs in schools and colleges. We harness the vibrant energy and creativity of students by organizing educational and awareness campaigns through culturally enriching activities such as drama, workshops, dance, and debates. Our aim is to cultivate a welcoming, friendly, and playful yet sensitive environment where adolescents can easily embrace the values we promote.
Training & Empowerment Program
With the increasing presence of technology, gambling in Nigeria has evolved significantly, fueled by the widespread availability of the internet and smartphone usage. This challenges the misconception that the gambling sector primarily attracts lower-income earners. The clientele base of operators now includes a significant proportion of middle-income earners, who form a significant portion of Nigeria's workforce.
Problem gambling poses a serious threat, impacting meaningful productivity at the workplace. To address this issue, we collaborate with corporate entities that recognize the importance of empowering their staff with knowledge about responsible gambling practices and offering support for recovery from problem gambling when needed.
Gambling Addiction / Recovery
With the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2021, there's a glimmer of hope for psychosocial well-being in Nigeria. Gambling addiction thrives on entrenched habitual thought patterns, rendering the behaviour compulsive and lacking in self-awareness. We comprehend the science of self-recovery, and our accredited clinical psychologists utilise a range of scientific methods, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, schema therapy, existential therapy, and other complementary approaches like affirmations, to combat this issue.