•Abuja residents find solace in gambling
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
In some ethnic settings and doctrines, gambling is a taboo, regardless of its colouration. But in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, most youths, especially those who are yet to find their economic bearings have settled for gambling, to eke out a living.
The increasing economic pang and the mouth-watering offers by betting companies, numbering over 50, have nudged people from all shades of life including, those who are below 18 years old to stake games, for as low as N100.
In Abuja, football, snooker, video games, table tennis are the most popular and common ones that attract gamblers. From Monday to Sunday, gamblers are busy staking games, either online or offline.
Most business centres are occupied with gambling firms in areas like Nyanya, Karu, Lokogoma, Orozo, Maitama, Gwarimpa and Kabusa. Day in day out, the eyes of these gamblers, are fixated on television screens watching matches with wrap concentration with their tickets.
Those who are fortunate hit the jackpot invest more money in the game. Those who did not win console themselves by staking another game.
Frank Eboigbe, a commercial driver, is an ardent gambler. He said the high cost of fuel led him into gambling to augment his income: “I have been gambling for a long time. But the unfriendly economic condition has increased my interest in the business.
“Although my wife has cautioned me against it. I am used to it at least to feed my family and mother. My house rent is about 600,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, a year in Orozo, Karu.”
Another gambler, Peter Adama, said: “Gambling is the in-thing now for some of us who are yet to gain meaningful employment. You know that a good job is difficult to come by.
“Even the ones you see are beneath you or above you. Despite your efforts to upgrade to meet up the requirements, somebody who knows somebody will buy the slot.
“I make money from gambling. But it takes one with a strong will to resist it because it is too alluring. I think the government must come to terms with the reality that it is another crude oil.”
Tunde Idowu, a bricklayer, said: “From the name, you know it is risky. You can make money today and lose money tomorrow. Before I won N500,000, I have lost about N100,000.
“When you win, you will forget what you have lost. We will not give up. Betting or gambling has come to stay. It is our new employment opportunity.”
Agnes Yoki, said she decided to gamble instead of sleeping around to make ends meet: “I am a gambler. Life itself is a gamble. Most people do not believe that ladies also gamble. But we do. It is an interesting engagement. Sometimes, I gamble.
“Sometimes, I go out to learn how to make hair. People who condemn gambling are those who haven’t won. You will forget your frustration as soon as you win.”
Chief Executive Officer, T2Bet, Theo Ubani, disabused the minds of people who perceive gambling as a negative adventure, clarifying that gamblers have become rich through betting:
“This has just been birthed and we are very pleased and excited at the opportunities that our online gaming platform is going to offer. The differentiating factor between us and other gaming platforms is the variety of offerings we are making.
“For the first time, we are now presenting the betting business more like a game. More like something of form and more like something you can also now earn revenue for some people that understand how this is done.
“Rather than deducting value, it is actually adding value. By making available opportunities all over the world that people can join and people can play from any part of the world. We are also going to be attracting some revenue inward to the country by people playing from outside the country.
“Nigeria generates about $2 billion from gambling yearly.” He projected that gambling sector would hit $5 billion in the next three years.