Follow Us on Google
• Youths sink into debts, frustration, depression
From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Harsh economic conditions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have pushed many youths into sports betting and online gambling, leaving several trapped in debts, addiction and frustration.
In major districts in Abuja, betting shops now compete with supermarkets and pharmacies for visibility as thousands troop out daily in search of quick money.
Investigations by Daily Sun revealed that many young people now gamble with salaries, school fees and business capital, while others borrow money even after suffering repeated losses. For many residents, betting has become more than entertainment. It’s fast becoming a vocation, a profession.
Ernest Okoye, a meat seller in Byazhin, near Kubwa, said: “There is a special pleasure when I check (matches) live scores and discover my predictions are correct, not necessarily because of the money, although that is an added advantage.”
Felix Ete, an unemployed youth, said online betting helps him cope with boredom and economic hardship.
James Bola described betting as one of the fastest-growing activities among youths in the FCT: “Out of every 100 men, only a few are not involved in betting. It is no longer just men; women are also deeply involved. Some women even send their husbands or boyfriends to stake games for them.
“Many residents now depend heavily on gambling for survival. I run a boutique, but my hope is no longer centred on the business alone. I use my phone to monitor games and strategise.
“Betting is helping many people, but don’t put your whole mind into it because it can destroy lives. Some people have died out of frustration after losing money.”
A civil servant, Fred Daisy: “Betting is what keeps me going, not my salary anymore. Almost everything I earn goes into transportation. People say it causes high blood pressure, but to me, it relieves stress in this country. I have suffered emotional pain after losses. But I have also made money from gambling.”
James Bola, a resident of Dutse, said: “Some people have spent huge amounts on betting without recording any winnings. You cannot win all the time.”
Another punter, Ebere Nwafor, a private school teacher, said: “ Apart from winning bets, I also earn money by selling predicted numbers to other gamblers. We do not expect to get it right all the time because we are gambling on football matches and other sporting events.”
Godfrey Terfa: “Betting is consuming the attention of many Nigerian youths because of unemployment and poor salaries. I only bet on Sundays because of my job. I have not won anything substantial yet. But I still hope for a breakthrough.
“I depend on some punters who forecast winning numbers. I have always been close to winning. Sometimes, just one digit stops me from winning. I believe one day I will hit it big.”
A psychologist, Henry Udoh, warned that the rising gambling culture fuels depression, frustration, family conflicts and worsening financial instability: “Unemployment, peer pressure and economic hardship are driving many youths into addiction.”
A cleric in Kubwa, Pastor John Aho, condemned the growing wave of gambling: “Many people are wasting productive time and hard-earned money chasing unrealistic wealth. Betting is another place where lazy men hide their heads.
“Even some religious people who should discourage gambling are now involved in it. Betting centres have become crowded from morning till night, with many gamblers abandoning meaningful work in the hope of getting rich quickly.
“They keep playing because once in a while they win small money and believe bigger winnings will come. But if they are sincere with themselves, they have invested more than they have gained.
“Gambling addiction is linked to frustration, domestic violence and health problems. Many gamblers return home angry after losing bets.
“They come back home frowning, quarrelling with their wives and even beating their children because one team loses or another fails them.
“Many Nigerian youths are heading for trouble if the obsession with betting continues unchecked. Young people should embrace hard work and patience. Success comes gradually and not through gambling.”
