SPORTS BETTING AND THE GHANAIAN YOUTH

Betting companies is gradually dictating the pace of the youth in Ghana through its power to predict and reward through sporting events happening across the globe. Its huge rise in the country is a direct consequence of its flexibility. The amount of pleasure one mounts after winning a bet is undescribable and for that reason the youth prefer investing every iota of token in the trade to express their brains of winning.

Although their contribution to the socio-economic development is huge through the payment of taxes, yet their impact on the youth is 'corrupt'. The minority see it simpler and more fun to raise monies faster without thinking of the risk involved. Its ability to leave one with a higher risk of winning big is the reason many go in for such. On the contrary, one interested in winning all later ends up losing everything.

Its dominance in the modern trend today is based on one inspiration; the ability to grow money a lot faster than investment. This happens only when one is able to take a greater risk in the business. With unemployment trending in Ghana and the nation’s unsteady economical record at hand, the business has become a deal for the youth to channel their income without any hesitations.

According to the Gaming Act, 2006, Act 721 (48) “A person responsible for a gaming machine shall not permit a child to use the gambling machine or to enter a place where the gambling machine is operated.”

Although the Act is in full operation yet certain laws should be put in place to prevent students from accessing those sites. Students in uniform are often spotted at betting centers which really undermines the role of our educational sector in the life of them. According to the Cashier, Awuah Benjamin of MyBet at the Tafo Branch in Kumasi, the place is designed to welcome everybody apart from minors interested in playing the betting game. He revealed certain challenges that they go through in the business, an indication which describe the attitude of the Ghanaian youth in circumstances involving money.

“This is a betting company therefore it involves money. When they lose gambles on games, they put up unscrupulous acts towards us, which could result in chaos, but since it is our mandate to control such acts for the sake of the work, we do so.,” he added.

The female cashier also told Soiree News that, since the place is a resourceful environment, they have been trained with tolerance to endure different attitudes from people who visit the venue.

“The only thing you (workers) need is tolerance because most of the customers who come here will annoy and say things which if you do not have the heart of tolerance, you might say things to frustrate them.”

“Because we are dealing with people, you always need to treat them with good manners else you will lose your customers. So we always have time for them, we accept their perceptions and we accept whatever they say. We also treat them with good manners,” she said.

Their witness is really an evidence to the disastrous impact betting companies are infusing in the youth of the country. These dishonest acts at the various centers is what comes to hunt innocent citizens in the country when gamblers loose everything through the deceptive game.

The news crew interviewed few people who had come to transact business. They expressed concerns that the bet is one of their source of income with a revelation that once an investment is made, one is able to acquire money to buy personal items.

“I take care of my personal stuffs like phones, television and others with monies gained from gambling,” he said.

“I have an allocation budget for betting. It’s a part of me and I know for sure that if I don’t take risk, I will not make it big. I really enjoy honoring it,” another said.

With the recent banking crises declining the interest of Ghanaians for investment, betting companies are gradually growing interest in the minds of the Ghanaian Communities as a great source to quickly invest and win. Expriencing the odd side will definitely cause chaos to regain asset back from innocent citizens which could increase theft and robbery in the country.