Yesterday, we shared a heart-wrenching story of a woman who took an extraordinary step of seeking legal intervention to address her son’s gambling addiction. She claims his obsession with sports betting, which has become widespread in the country, is ruining his life.
This case highlights the struggles that many families across the nation are facing as more individuals fall into the trap of gambling. The gambling industry often lures individuals with promises of large financial returns, but for most, it ends in despair.
The industry generates millions of dollars monthly, and sports betting, particularly on football matches, has now surpassed horse racing in terms of spending in the country.
Cathy Munaki brought her son, Tawanda, to the Harare Civil Court, where she explained that his gambling habit had led to harassment from creditors who had lent him money to feed his addiction. Munaki revealed that Tawanda was selling her property and accumulating debts in her name, leaving her to face the consequences. She described the constant fear she now lives in, with creditors knocking on her door demanding repayment for debts she had no knowledge of.
She said that her son’s behavior had severely strained her relationships with family and friends, as she often found herself caught in the middle of his financial troubles.
While Tawanda’s case has made headlines, it is only one of many similar stories across the country. A large number of people, particularly men, have fallen victim to the sports betting industry in Zimbabwe.
Last year, it was reported that 539 betting houses had been licensed in the country. In neighboring South Africa, authorities revealed that a staggering US$58.7 billion was spent on legal bets in the financial year ending March 31, 2024. These figures reflect a growing trend, with sports betting increasingly driving the surge in gambling activity.
The problem arises when individuals, unable to recognize the signs of addiction, continue to gamble despite mounting losses. This often leads them into deep financial trouble, and in some cases, they resort to borrowing money or even criminal activity to fund their habit.
We believe that the local betting industry should allocate funds to assist those addicted to gambling by providing access to rehabilitation programs. In many countries, authorities require betting companies to support individuals struggling with addiction, and Zimbabwe should adopt similar measures.
There is a pressing need for rehabilitation services for the tens of thousands of gamblers in the country. These individuals must learn to recognize when to step back, reflect, and understand the risks associated with gambling.
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