This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
On August 2, 2019, the government issued a directive to restrict the activities of betting firms, but this move is just a tip of the iceberg. The betting industry has invaded all classes of people in our society, with betting companies spending over Ksh6 billion in advertisements last year alone.
One of the key players in the industry, SportPesa, raked in over $1 billion (Ksh100 billion) in the same period. Imposing limitations on operations of betting firms without addressing the underlying issues is a drop in the ocean.
Here are five approaches that can be used to tackle the betting menace before it becomes a national disaster.
Self Financial Discipline ¶
People engage in betting on the mistaken belief that they will make a profit. However, the reality is that they lose more money than they gain. Others begin and continue to borrow money, eventually sinking deeper into debt.
At a personal level, people should appreciate the financial strain, time wastage, and health consequences of betting and stop it.
Betting Reduction Strategy ¶
Betting begins as a leisurely activity but gradually becomes a habit that leads to addiction. At the addiction stage, people are unable to control their betting urges, even after they have wiped out all their money and other assets.
On the health side, betting causes loss of sleep and migraines due to anxiety over both losing and winning. To reduce the number of citizens who are likely to graduate into betting addicts, the Department of Social Services should develop and implement a national betting reduction strategy.
Strengthen Betting Board ¶
The Betting Licensing and Control Board (BLCB) is responsible for administratively licensing and controlling betting platforms. However, its mandate does not include addressing the social consequences of betting.
Before we mature into a nation of gamblers, there is a need to review the 1966 betting legislation. The mandate of BLCB should be broadened to include education on gambling and vetting betting marketing materials.
Societal Collective Responsibility ¶
Kenyans possess ingenious ways of responding to conspicuous social evils, but they turn a blind eye on silent killers like gambling that destabilize people at individual and family levels.
Religious institutions, educational institutions, and higher learning institutions should take a collective social responsibility to control the betting pandemic before we think of starting and running national and county betting rehabilitation centres.
Review Betting Legislation ¶
It is time to turn undivided attention to overhauling the existing betting and related legislation. A casual walk around government premises shows signs posts of “corruption free zone” and public smoking cubicles for cigarette smokers.
