DAR ES SALAAM: ACROSS East Africa, gambling has become an increasingly popular activity among young people, driven by rapid technological advancement, widespread smartphone use, unemployment and the promise of quick financial gains.
What many perceive as harmless entertainment is increasingly developing into a serious public health and social concern, with experts warning that gambling addiction is affecting the mental health, financial stability and future prospects of thousands of young people across the region.
The rise of online betting platforms, sports gambling applications and digital games such as football betting has made gambling more accessible than ever before. With a smartphone and internet connection, young people can place bets at any time and from virtually anywhere.
This easy accessibility has transformed gambling from an occasional recreational activity into a daily habit for many youths.
According to counselling psychologist Dr Susan Gitau from Kenya, gambling is a risky behaviour that offers short-term rewards but can gradually develop into a persistent pattern with harmful consequences.
Like substance abuse, gambling activates the brain’s reward system, creating feelings of excitement and anticipation that encourage repeated participation despite losses.
“Gambling, substance use disorders and mental health conditions frequently occur together, creating a complex challenge that affects individuals, families and communities,” she explained during a presentation on the intersection of gambling, mental health and substance use disorders.
Across countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, economic hardships and high youth unemployment rates have contributed significantly to the growing attraction of gambling.
Many young people view betting as an alternative source of income or a shortcut to financial success. The possibility of turning a small stake into a large payout creates hope, especially among those struggling to find employment or establish stable livelihoods.
However, experts caution that the reality is often very different. Most gamblers lose more money than they win, leading to mounting debts and financial stress.
Young people who initially gamble to improve their financial situation often find themselves trapped in a cycle of chasing losses, borrowing money and placing even larger bets in an attempt to recover what they have lost.
Research shows that gambling addiction shares many characteristics with other forms of addiction. The same dopamine pathways in the brain that are stimulated by drugs and alcohol are also activated during gambling.
This neurobiological response can create cravings and compulsive behaviours, making it difficult for individuals to stop even when they recognise the negative consequences.
The relationship between gambling and mental health is particularly troubling because it creates a vicious cycle. Individuals experiencing depression or anxiety may gamble to relieve stress temporarily.
When losses occur, feelings of guilt, shame and hopelessness intensify, leading them to gamble even more in an attempt to cope with emotional pain.
The harmful effects of gambling are currently affecting both young women and men, creating a growing generation of youths who rely on games of chance as a means of earning money.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), gambling can lead to serious harms to health. These include financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and suicide. The legacy of gambling harm can endure throughout one’s life and transmit intergenerationally.
WHO also shows that around 5.5 per cent of women and 11.9 per cent of men globally experience some level of harm from gambling. A Swedish study estimated that those with a gambling disorder were 15 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
One of the gambling games that has significantly affected many young people in Tanzania is Aviator. Many youths have lost substantial amounts of money through the game without realising that their losses often far exceed their winnings.
Experiences shared by young people who participate in such games show that when they win a small amount of money, they become motivated to multiply it in the hope of earning even more to meet their needs. However, many eventually end up losing everything they have won.
Ms Anjel Jonas (30), a resident of Dar es Salaam, said that she was initially unfamiliar with the game. However, some of her male friends introduced her to it and persuaded her to try it, even teaching her a few strategies they claimed would help her win money.
“There are days when I place a bet and earn three or even four times the amount I invested. The problem comes when you start winning more money because it creates even greater desire to earn more. In the end, you can lose not only your profits but everything you have, leaving you with nothing,” said Ms Jonas.
She added that there are times when she wants to stop playing, but whenever she gets a little money, the temptation returns and she starts gambling again. Over time, she finds herself becoming addicted, and despite several attempts to quit, she finds herself unable to stop.
Educational institutions across East Africa have also reported cases of students using tuition fees, school allowances and family support funds for betting activities.
Some students skip classes to monitor betting outcomes, while others accumulate debt that affects their academic performance and overall well-being.
Juma Ally Said (23), a student at one of the universities in Dar es Salaam, said that he was unable to complete his final semester after using his tuition fees to play Aviator, hoping to win a large amount of money that would help him after graduating.
Mr Said’s experience is not unique. Many young people in universities and schools across Tanzania are facing similar situations.
In many cases, the problem stems from a lack of financial literacy and poor money management skills. As a result, betting has become a common escape route for many youths, especially as online gambling platforms have become increasingly accessible and widespread.
The emergence of online gambling platforms has intensified these challenges. Aggressive advertising campaigns frequently target young audiences through social media, sports sponsorships and digital marketing.
According to the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Professional Affairs of the Tanzania Psychological Association (TAPA), Mr Jesusa Malewo, gambling addiction shares many characteristics with other forms of addiction, where individuals lose the ability to control their urge to gamble despite the negative impact it has on their lives.
“When assessing a person with gambling addiction, we look at several key factors. First is the strong urge to continue gambling even after losing significant amounts of money. Second is the continued engagement in gambling despite experiencing harmful consequences. Third is the inability to stop or control the behaviour,” he said.
Mr Malewo explained that individuals with gambling addiction often experience what is known as craving, an intense psychological and sometimes physical desire to gamble; also they may feel that something is missing or that they cannot function normally unless they place a bet.
He identified several factors that can lead individuals into gambling, one of them is the desire for excitement and entertainment.
Mr Malewo said that winning a bet triggers the release of dopamine, a brain chemical associated with pleasure and reward, which encourages individuals to seek the experience repeatedly.
He also noted that certain mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, particularly during manic episodes, can increase the likelihood of gambling because individuals may become impulsive and more willing to take risks.
In addition, people experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or prolonged stress may use gambling as a way to escape difficult emotions and life challenges.
“Individuals with low self-esteem, poor self-confidence or limited coping skills may turn to gambling as a way of escaping emotions and situations that they find difficult to manage,” he said.
Mr Malewo emphasised that there is a strong relationship between gambling and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and chronic stress.
He explained that individuals suffering from depression or anxiety may engage in gambling as a temporary way of relieving emotional pain. However, the financial losses and debts associated with gambling often worsen these conditions.
“In some cases, the consequences of gambling can become so severe that individuals develop suicidal thoughts due to overwhelming financial and emotional pressure,” Mr Malewo added.
He urged parents and guardians to pay attention to early warning signs of gambling addiction among young people.
These signs may include frequent lying, stealing money, borrowing excessively, withdrawing from family members, hiding financial activities and providing unclear explanations about their whereabouts or behaviour.
“Many individuals with gambling addiction become skilled at manipulation and deception. They often know how to tell people what they want to hear in order to avoid suspicion,” he said.
According to Malewo, individuals with gambling addiction often think about gambling constantly, increase the amount of money they wager in search of greater excitement and repeatedly fail in their attempts to stop.
Malewo said mobile phones and social media have significantly contributed to the rise of gambling among young people.
“Today, people can gamble while in bed, at work or while travelling. Social media platforms frequently highlight the success stories of a few winners, creating the false impression that winning is easy when, in reality, the odds are very low,” he explained.
Malewo stressed that gambling addiction is treatable, especially when professional help is sought early.
“The earlier treatment begins, the greater the chances of recovery and returning to a healthy and productive life. Delaying treatment often makes the recovery process longer and more difficult,” she said.
He outlined several treatment approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps individuals change the thoughts, emotions and behaviours that drive gambling, Motivational Interviewing, which strengthens a person’s motivation to change and Family Therapy, which involves family members in the recovery process.
Malewo stressed that gambling is not a reliable path to financial success saying, “gambling often begins as entertainment but can gradually become a serious problem that affects mental health, education, employment, relationships, financial stability and overall well-being. Real success comes from developing skills, working hard and investing in long-term opportunities,” she said.
He encouraged anyone who feels that gambling is beginning to take control of their life, who spends more money than planned or who struggles to stop despite negative consequences, to seek professional help from psychologists, counsellors or mental health specialists.
“Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of courage and an important step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life,” Mr Malewo emphasised.