Plagiarism ObariGambling among youth remains a salient problem that is less recognised as a social menace among education stakeholders and researchers. This is because it is a common phenomenon that is considered as recreational activity and even legalised by Nigeria government through which revenue are generated (tax collected from the owners of various gambling companies). However, experts (Derevensky, Gupta, Dickson & Deguire, 2004; Chimezie, 2015) have noted that it causes more harm to the youth and the society than the good it may seem to portray. In view of this, this paper presents the update on problem gambling among Nigeria youth; looking at its prevalence, forms, the industry, causes and effects, empirical review of previous studies and its counselling implications. It was concluded on this basis that counselling programmes should be organsied in town halls of every community to sensitise the citizens on the danger inherent in gambling and reshape or change people’s perception positively on gambling behaviour.
Gambling can be defined as any activity (a game of chance or skill) where an item of value is placed at risk in an attempt to gain something of greater value. Gambling is taking a risky action in the hope of a desired result. Gambling exists in different forms but varies in popularity among different groups and classes of people; some of those forms include lotteries, casinos, sport betting, poker, gaming and pool betting. Gambling is a big business globally to the extent that it is now taxable and regulated as a legitimate business. Such as Surebet, Bet9ja, NairaBet etc.
#Problem gambling among Nigerian youths
Problem gambling or gambling addiction or gambling disorder has been defined as a bio-psychosocial disorder characterised by a persistent and recurrent maladaptive pattern of gambling behaviour. Problem gambling affects people of all ages, from adolescents as young as 10 to adults in their senior years. It is not a matter of being irresponsible; it is an addiction rooted in the brain just as are the drug and alcohol addictions of millions of people. It is not bad a behaviour or a bad habit; it is a serious condition. Similarly, gambling has become a growing trend amongst young Nigerians aged between 18 – 35 years, who accounted for the highest proportion of Nigerians who engage in the practice.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN, 2019), about 60 million Nigerians between the ages 18 and 40 years spend up to N1.8 billion Naira on sports betting daily with an average investment of N3,000 Naira per day.
#Causes and Effect of problem gambling
In reality, gambling has its positive and negative sides however, given Nigeria’s recession and high unemployment figures, the impact of the gambling industry in the nation’s economy has been positive as it has created thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. Big betting companies have staff strength running into hundreds; and through their associate and affiliate networks, they offer agents a source of livelihood from commissions earned as people engage in betting. A study has revealed in its findings that 26% mentioned ‘timely payment’ as the main factor that influences their choice. This was closely followed by respondents who believed it is the ‘odds/stake placed on a game’ (24%). Other determinants mentioned include ‘reputation for payment’ (21%), ‘ease of use’ (15%) among others. Finally, analysis of results revealed ‘quest for quick money’ (30%), ‘Unemployment’ (21%) and ‘greed’ (15%) topped the list of reasons why Nigerian, particularly the youth engage in gambling. Other reasons include; cushioning the effect of economic hardship ’(12%), ‘poverty ’(10%), ‘just for fun ’(5%), ‘passion for sports’ (5%) and ‘peering group influence’ (2%).
Its effect is devastating to the perpetrator, the family and the society at large. When the money stops coming the way of a gambler, he may engage in drugs in frustration. In trying to escape poverty and play roles in the financial upkeep of their families, many youths have chosen to indulge in gambling to put food on their family’s table. Unfortunately, the most active participants in this trade are youths whose main objective is the desire to get rich at all cost and crush any obstacle that might stand against their desire rather than striving to achieve success through good means.
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