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There has been a proliferation of sports betting companies in Kenya in the recent past. The latest entrant to the game being Mcheza. Mcheza is touted as being different from the rest in that it encourages responsible betting by enabling individuals to set personal limits on their bets. I guess this is an attempt at having people limit the amounts that they spend on the platform. Other sports betting platforms include Elitebet, Justbet, Betyetu, Betway, Eazibet among others but the most visible so far is Sportpesa which has had winners winning big amounts of upto Kshs.29 million. This was won by a Nairobi based businessman George Mwangi who had spent a total of Kshs 16,000 before the big win.  Elimah Khanatisa a sales lady from Eldoret also won big with Sportpesa whereby she walked away with a cool Kshs. 22 million. It is these wins  that motivate people to keep betting hoping to win big.

Sports betting works by allowing you to bet on the scores of a game and you win if you predict the scores correctly. For Sportpesa these are the ways one can place a bet 3 way Home/Draw/Away, Goals over/Under, Both teams to score (BTTS) Yes/No,Double Chance Home/Away, 3 way Fist Half Home/Draw/Away, Correct Score, Half Time/Full Time i.e 1/1 2/1 X/2, Goal Odd/Even , Euro Handicap, First Half Under/Over.

If you have ever put in a bet , you understand the thrill that one feels when they are about to win. And the ecstatic feeling when you actually win, it is this feeling that keeps you hooked and coming back for more. The other day I overhead a conversation whereby one person was saying that the reason sports betting has become so popular among the common mwananchi is that it gives them hope for something better regardless of their current situation.

What many don’t know is that constant betting may lead to a gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is also known as impulse control disorder. Compulsive gamblers just like drug addicts are not able to control the impulse to gamble even when they know that their gambling is hurting themselves or their loved ones. Gambling is all they can think about and all they want to do no matter the consequences. In Kenya it is quickly becoming a common sight to see individuals complaining about how they lost good amounts of money due to sports betting. Sadly some are even foregoing meals in order to place bets with a hope of winning big. The combination of youth unemployment and gambling is a powder keg just waiting to erupt. The dangerous side of gambling is beginning to emerge as a boda boda operator John Muchanga killed two people in a Casino at Eastleigh after losing Kshs.30,000 while gambling. As for sports betting, the fact that you can register and bet from the comfort of your home is a huge contributor to the quick uptake of sports betting in the country.

According to a study carried out on the reasons why most people gamble, it was concluded that people gamble to escape from stress, a painful past or for the excitement. However, the reasons that can make a person addicted to gambling include;

  • Avoiding uncomfortable and painful emotions like sadness, depression, anger, humiliation and fear of failure
  • Recover losses previously incurred through gambling
  • As a form of stimulation
  • Act on the illusion that gambling can provide a steady income and money that will solve the gamblers problems.
  • As a tool of self-destruction to deal with feelings of guilt about success.

Ultimately not everyone who bets/gambles will become addicted. Check out these questions  which can help you identify whether you have a gambling problem.

  1. Have you ever lost time from work or school due to gambling?
  2. Has gambling made your home life unhappy?
  3. Has gambling affected your reputation?
  4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
  5. Have you ever gambled to get money to pay debts?
  6. After losing did you feel the urge to return as soon as possible to win back money lost?
  7. After a win did you feel the urge to return and win some more?
  8. Have you often gambled till your last cent was gone?
  9. Have you ever borrowed to finance your borrowing?
  10. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
  11. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
  12. Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling?
  13. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

According to Gamblers Anonymous, if you can answer ‘yes’ to seven or more of these questions then you most definitely have a gambling problem. A gambling addiction can destroy your life financially but also personally and socially. If you find that you suffer from a gambling addiction seek professional help to overcome your problem and to develop healthy behavior patterns. Check out these real life stories of gambling addicts here and here.

The good thing is that Gamblers Anonymous has a Kenyan chapter, if you are in need of help make a point of checking them out for support.