Africa’s Silent Epidemic: “Gambling Addiction” Among the Youth

KAKALI DAS

Across Africa, gambling addiction is being called a silent epidemic. Many young people across the continent are falling into this trap, becoming easy targets for large betting companies.

This is mostly because 8 out of 10 young people in Africa own a mobile phone. And these phones are not just for communication – they are now like small casinos in your pocket, especially since they are connected to payment systems.

Betting companies are smart. They know that young people love football, especially European leagues like the English Premier League. So, they advertise during games or even sponsor football clubs. This makes it hard to tell where football ends and gambling begins.

No one knows exactly how big Africa’s gambling industry is. But one report by Astute Analytica says that in 2023, gambling in Africa made $6 billion in revenue. This number could double by 2032 if things continue like this. As more people start gambling, experts are raising concerns. They say gambling is ruining lives.

A survey by GeoPoll in six African countries – Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria – found that 76% of people had gambled before. Kenya had the highest number of gamblers at 82%. This shows just how common gambling has become.

The more people gamble, the more risk there is for addiction, money problems, and mental health issues. In response, Kenya’s government has banned gambling ads and promotions for 30 days. This is to try to reduce the growing number of gambling activities.

In Nairobi, especially in poor areas, betting shops are everywhere. But you no longer need to walk into a shop. All you need is a mobile phone. Many people lose their daily wages through online betting. This leaves them unable to pay rent, buy food, or support their families.

One gambler shared his experience:“I won once, and that made me want to keep betting. I thought it was a quick way to make money, so I even used my rent money. I didn’t know it would end up breaking my heart again and again.”

Another said, “Betting addiction is like cancer. It slowly eats away at your life. Once you start, it’s very hard to stop. Unless you remove the addiction completely, you can’t live peacefully.”

On the streets of Nairobi, everyone knows about gambling addiction. People have different views about why it’s happening and what can be done to stop it. One resident said, “People don’t gamble because they have extra money. They gamble because they are poor. They hope that gambling will help them escape poverty.”

But another resident said, “Young people need to understand that nothing comes free. Betting companies promise free money, but you should think twice before trusting them.”

For people already addicted, it’s very hard to stop. Many people lose a bet, then place another one right away hoping to win back their money. But they usually lose again. This creates a cycle that is very hard to break.

Addiction counsellor Harrison Maura explains: “The first step is to be honest and admit you have a problem. Then, you need to seek support and stick to a recovery plan. Yes, there will be shame, guilt, and people may judge you. But with time, you can heal. You can help yourself and others if you’re serious about getting better.”

Another gambler added, “If there was a medicine to make me forget that betting exists, I would pay anything for it. I’ve been gambling for too long, and I just want to stop.”

Many gamblers know they are losing money, but they can’t stop because they believe that one big win will change their life forever. Sadly, that big win almost never comes.

So, what is driving the gambling boom in Africa? Betting companies are experts in using the real-life struggles of people to their advantage. Sports gambling is especially popular among young people, mainly because of their love for football.

There are also some local reasons for gambling’s popularity. But there are bigger industry-level reasons too. Most gambling companies are international, mainly from Europe. In the early 2000s, gambling rules in Europe became much stricter. So these companies started looking for places with fewer rules, like many African countries, to do business more easily. This is called “regulatory escape.”

These companies now operate in countries where gambling laws are weak or still developing. That’s why gambling shops are everywhere in African cities and towns. They have become part of daily life. It’s almost impossible to avoid them.

In the past, gambling was considered shameful. If someone visited a betting shop too often, they were judged. Today, things are different. There is less shame and more “flex.” Some people now boast about their gambling instead of hiding it.

Gambling has also become linked to masculinity. In some places, if a man doesn’t gamble, he might be mocked or seen as less manly. This is a dangerous change in mindset.

Governments also earn a lot of money from gambling through taxes, licenses, and contributions from companies. So now, governments are faced with a tough choice: should they focus on making money from the industry, or should they care more about how it is harming people, especially the youth?

Critics say that a short 30-day ban, like the one in Kenya, is not enough. They argue that governments need to make a clear decision whether they want to prioritise economic gains through gambling or they want to be more sensitive to its social consequences.

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