Understanding sports betting among young male student-teachers in Ghana

Abstract

Drawing on sports betting, leisure studies and rationality concept provides information to understand how those training to be teachers are gradually gravitating towards gambling to the detriment of their studies at the university. A thorough analysis of 42 young male adults interviewed at betting shops in the university community revealed how they have become involved in sports betting activities for additional financial rewards. Results show that peer pressure is a strong persuader drawing new student teachers to sports betting activities, which makes it difficult for them to effectively focus on their studies. This has resulted in certain of the students getting poor grades, loss of concentration in class, strained relationships, increased exclusion or rejection from study groups, as well as significant negative effects on academic work, health and well-being, family, and society at large. This study recommends that stakeholders in education address this increasing social issue among young male adults through effective preventive strategy and educational promotion as an intervention to avoid thwarting the progress of the new educational reforms in Ghana.

The threat of gambling to public health in Ghana: time to act

“…Specifically, studies in Ghana have found gambling linked to financial stress (losing money, people incurring debts they are unable to repay, stealing to stake bets), poor mental health and wellbeing (depression, mental instability, sleepless nights), poor academic performance and challenges with personal and social life including family breakdown and crime. 16,18 Why is publiC health aCtion uRgently needed? a comprehensive public health approach to gambling and its harms is vital and has been framed as twofold.…”

Online sports betting in universities: Does online sports betting addictions impact the academic achievements and social relations of students?

“…The youth, especially those in school constitute about 57.00% of the population of Ghana according to the 2021 population census (Ghana Statistical Service, 2021). Out of the percentage, experts have estimated that twothirds engage in online sports betting from senior high schools to other higher educational institutions (Acheampong et al, 2022). Although the actual percentages of university students who are addicted to online sports betting are not readily available, experts in the field strongly believed the number of university students who are addicted to online sports betting is endemic.…”

Pathological gambling is an underestimated risk factor for pilfering and suicide in Ghana: a case report

“…Currently, it is a growing public health concern globally [2][3][4]. The advent of internet gambling and easy access to mobile phones and televisions have made gambling easy [5], with more youth of the working age group getting involved [5][6][7][8][9]. It is legal to engage in online sports betting in Ghana according to the Gaming Act of 2006.…”