Most sports enthusiasts, especially the youth of today, have fallen into the web of gambling, and coming out seems almost impossible. Some have become so addicted to the extent that they go any length either taking loans from friends and family or stealing to fulfill the urge to bet.
This has landed many in jail and left others in huge debt. Additionally, it has thrown many into a state of depression, making them suicidal. The severity of this menace can not be emphasized enough.
“Gaming can be addictive, bet responsibly” This is a “warning” statement that comes with most betting adverts by the Gaming Commission of Ghana, but is this warning strong enough to deter the youth from engaging in online gaming and betting? Well, the commission has also put some measures in place to manage the situation, for instance, celebrities are not permitted to endorse any of these betting platform sites. Currently, the government has also placed a tax percentage on winning bonuses. Although these are all steps in the right direction, a lot more has to be done.
Sharing a personal experience with Abena Manokekame and her followers on Facebook, a young man had this to say; “My Biggest regret ever
Aunty Abena, I wish I could provide more information about this, but I don’t want people around me knowing this.
I lost like 9k cedis due to betting. I took a loan I was supposed to use for something and squandered it. I don’t want to justify my stupidity, but I now understand the saying, don’t laugh at a man when he’s down, for you’re not greater than what caused his downfall.
I remember saying “ah na akoa wei paa, 400 million loan for betting” when the news of the teacher who lost 400k loan on Aviator came out, little did I know I was next. I’m struggling currently, paying for a loan I never used. I don’t know how I’ll survive until the end of this year.
Sometimes I feel I should just leave. I feel like a failure, can’t even pick up my mum’s calls, and I feel I let her down. But I have a string of hope I’m hanging onto. I hope it doesn’t tear. My biggest regret is knowing Aviator.”
He is not the only person who has shared his plight, so many others have told their stories about how their lives are in jeopardy because they have become addicted to online gaming and betting.
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