Gambling: The Loss Beyond Money

Photo by Sunday Abegunde on Unsplash

By Yecenu Sasetu

I tried my hand at gambling once, even though I grew up with the words “gambling is a sin” ringing in my ears. If you are a Christian, you don’t go near gambling, but I did. My friend convinced me to, and like many young Nigerians today, I wanted to hit and hit fast.

Oh, I did hit, but it wasn’t money. I hit failure, loss, and heartbreak.

Today, gambling has become popular in Nigeria, with over 65 million Nigerians reportedly involved in daily gambling activities, with a significant portion being young people. This is according to the National Lottery Fund (NLTF).

My friend made it seem so easy, and sure it was. All we needed to do daily was place bets on the losing football teams, and that information was supplied by whoever signed us up. In this case, it was my friend. 

Let me backtrack a bit. I love to focus on what I have in front of me. I don’t like to be interrupted when eating, watching a movie, or engrossed in a new novel. But when it was time to place bets, I would gladly pause whatever I was doing at the time to put in my numbers. I would also follow up with my downlines to ensure that each person placed their bets. I used my money to register some family members, took their passwords, and placed bets on their behalf. That way, no one missed placing bets, which we had to do twice daily.

I remember when it all came crashing down. It started with a downtime on the website; we could not place bets, and those who were eligible to withdraw were unable to do so. The ‘Admin’ assured us it was just a downtime that would soon be restored, but it persisted for a week, and then it eventually dawned on me that I was never going to withdraw any money. The loss of the money was not what bothered me the most. I felt shame because I had convinced friends, colleagues, and family members to ‘invest’. I felt betrayed by my friend for making me gamble and lose money, and if I felt that way about her, I was certain those I brought into the game felt the same about me. Needless to say, it was a potpourri of emotions, negative ones.

This is another side of gambling we do not talk about: the emotional and mental stress it has on a human being. It is safe to say that gambling has become a public health concern.

Praise, like me, also grew up believing that gambling is wrong. Oh well, the economic realities hit hard.

“I come from a spiritual background, and I was initially against betting, but the economic demands pushed me into betting. I have won betting on games, but I have also lost. I try to be extremely careful that I don’t get addicted to it. For me, I don’t put emotions into the game when I watch football, I also bring that to betting, I don’t put my emotions into betting. It is only the money I am ready to lose, I don’t put beyond my power. I don’t go with my salary or money meant for my family. It’s just out of the return on investment. For instance, if I use N5,000 to win N10,000 and it comes through, I return that N5,000 to my account and begin to bet with the profit. I have also lost because of greed, and the psychological impact is stressful. A colleague of mine had to take a break because of the psychological impact. I think that is the problem a lot of people have, not being able to understand how to be financially disciplined and not be extremely addicted to it. People take loans to bet or use personal finances to play.”

Aisha Bubah, a psychologist, says, “Addiction is like a brain disease. You never know when it takes over. ”

So, what are some of the ways to prevent addiction?

“Education and awareness”, says Aisha.

“When we say mental health education should be part of schools’ curriculum, it does not necessarily mean only talking about depression alone or mental health disorders. The world has moved from just teaching about academics, and that’s it. We need to start producing individuals for society.”

Facts About Gambling Addiction in Nigeria

1. High Participation Rates: Over 65 million Nigerians are reportedly involved in daily gambling activities, with a significant portion being young people. This widespread participation is driven by economic hardship and the allure of quick financial gain.

2. Economic Impact: The Nigerian gambling industry is projected to generate €525.10 million in revenue in 2023, with an annual growth rate of 9.2%. This growth is fueled by economic challenges, including high unemployment and inflation rates. 

3. Mental Health Implications: Gambling addiction leads to serious mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and stress. The emotional toll of addiction can exacerbate existing social and economic problems.

4. Financial Consequences: Many individuals addicted to gambling face severe financial losses, which further compound the economic challenges they face. This can lead to debt, broken relationships, and an overall decline in quality of life.

5. Underage Gambling: A 2019 study found that 57.2% of school-aged children in Nigeria had participated in gambling at least once, despite the legal age for gambling being 18. This highlights the accessibility and appeal of gambling among minors. 

6. Regulatory Challenges: Despite most forms of gambling being illegal in Nigeria, substantial amounts are spent daily. The rate of problem gambling is estimated to range from 1 to 8%, with 10–15% at risk of problems related to gambling.  

Given the staggering participation rates, the significant economic influence, and the serious mental and financial consequences, it is clear that gambling is more than just a pastime in Nigeria—it is a growing public health and social concern. The involvement of vulnerable groups, especially young people and minors, alongside regulatory challenges, only heightens the urgency for effective interventions. To protect individuals and communities from the harmful effects of gambling addiction, there must be increased awareness, stronger regulations, and accessible support systems. Addressing these issues head-on is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s future well-being and social stability.

While gambling has gradually become a shade of us, this is one I hope comes to an end. I learned my lesson after my gambling loss, and I have decided that I never want to be in that headspace again.