By Jeremiah Nutsugah
In Ghana and many other African countries, sports betting was once a taboo subject due to its perceived immorality. However, Ghana’s passion for European football, including the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga and other global football leagues, has given rise to the promotion of sports betting in Ghana specifically. Lapage Community.
While this zeal for European football matches was traditionally mostly about the elderly, today, youth dominates this field. The rise of sports betting among young people is attributed to the global liberalization of sports betting through pervasive advertising. The media and advertising companies present sports betting as profitable, glamorous, fashionable and sensual, luring many young people into the world of betting.
Despite the widespread promotion of sports betting through media advertisements, its spread to every corner of Ghana has occurred without strict enforcement of existing gambling laws by the government or security officials. Many young people engage in sports betting, some at the expense of their well-being, although others manage to earn a living from it.
The Ghana Gaming Commission holds the primary authority over sports betting and related activities in the country. Responsible for licensing bookmakers and gaming operators, some of the registered entities include Betway, Soccerbet, Sporty Bet, Safari bet, 1Xbet, Betpawa, Powerbet among others.
However, the growing prevalence of sports betting has prompted some leaders to call for a ban, citing concerns about its impact on the work ethic of young people. Hassan Ayariga, the founder and leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), has declared his intention to ban sports betting if elected president, arguing that it encourages laziness among Ghanaian youth.
Similarly, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader in Parliament, has expressed his opposition to sports betting, stating that it does not encourage hard work but promotes idle activities that corrupt the youth.
However, not everyone shares this view. A serial bettor known as LilMoGh has debunked the argument that betting is only for the lazy. He built his house from the winnings of the bet, emphasizing the hard work and determination required for his success.
The recent introduction of a 10% tax on betting and lottery winnings has sparked further debate. LilMoGh, defending his point, highlighted the effort he invests in giving others a chance to win, challenging the idea that betting is a lazy job.
Many young people in Lapaz who engage in sports betting claim that it is not solely due to unemployment, but also serves as a way to pass the time. Some argue that gambling provides them with opportunities to earn money, presenting a preferable alternative to criminal activities such as theft.
According to a player named Big Joe, he revealed that, “I gamble because I don’t want to get involved in criminal activities because I’m unemployed, there’s no work. If the government can solve unemployment, it will solve the problem of sports betting in the community of Lapaz.”
James stated that instead of banning it outright the government simply put a tax on betting for his own benefit. Honestly, I am very addicted to sports betting, and the more I bet the more I lose, although sometimes I win a huge amount of money that I later used to bet again.
Speaking to a guy who is at the University (unknown), Selassie stated that, “I used my school fees to bet on sports when I was young at university. I almost took my own life because my mom is not someone who has enough money, so I was annoyed. I later borrowed money to pay my fees and later worked to pay the person. I will say that the bet should be absolutely heavy because it causes more harm than good.”
Adjei Richard, who is also a resident of Lapaz community, stressed that although he recently started betting it was not easy, it is a lot of work. I think the government should not ban it because that is what we keep to get our daily bread. Some of us take care of ourselves, so we bet the means we use to take care of ourselves. I’ve won and I’ve lost, so it’s a 50/50 game.
Amidst these different perspectives, the question remains: Should sports betting be regulated, restricted or banned altogether in Ghana? As the nation grapples with this dilemma, the impact of sports betting on the lives and choices of Lapaz’s youth continues to unfold.
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