Gambling and the Illusion of Control: A Linguistic Analysis of Agency in Nigerian Skits

Drama skit is a popular medium in contemporary Nigerian digital entertainment that often presents betting as a pathway to success by utilizing linguistic strategies that captivate participants to make outcomes seem controllable despite inherent risks. There seems to be an overestimation of the gambler’s ability to control certain outcomes despite gambling being an activity inherently rooted in chance. This study therefore, explores the linguistic strategies employed in drama skits that promote gambling and their role in perpetuating the illusion of control among audiences. Hence this paper, within qualitative research method, purposively explores one skit each of the following drama skit makers: Sabinus, Dino Suregod, Viper the Wiper, and Brain Jotter because they boasted higher viewership; how they frame gambling as an activity where skill and personal agency can influence outcomes, despite its inherently random nature; the linguistic strategies employed in the skits as portrayal of agency, decision making, and success in gambling related narratives within the theoretical frameworks of Ellen Langer’s Illusion of Control Theory and Erving Goffman’s Framing Theory. The findings reveal that these skits linguistically reframe gambling as a strategic act, downplaying randomness and risk while foregrounding personal choice and effort. They also reveal that skits frequently employ emotionally charged narratives to build the construct in gamblers as empowered agents, strategically navigating their way to success. The study contributes to discussions on the socio-ethical implications of media content and societal impact of gambling promotions, offering insights into the complex relationship between language, agency, and audience manipulation.