The “Quick Riches” Trap: What the Betting Industry Won’t Tell You

–– Charles Russell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Another weekend passes by, packed with hundreds of sporting events on which to gamble away hard-earned income. Whether the vice of choice is English Premier League, PSL, IPL, Super Rugby, Racing or Golf, statistically speaking South African’s gamble away more than R28 billion every week, or R1.5 trillion annually, having grown 550% in the past 4 years. This now represents ~20% of SA’s GDP and is one of the country’s most burning social issues.

Looking at this dilemma through a Christian lens, we observe several problems:

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TARIF: Gambling In Africa

The Africa Review in Five highlights African current affairs from a Christian perspective. Listen and subscribe through Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Today is Friday, June 30th, A.D. 2023. This is The Africa Review in Five, written by Paul Schlehlein and presented by Yamikani Katunga

Gambling in Africa

How should African Christians think about gambling? Is gambling a significant issue on the continent and does Scripture affirm or oppose it?

According to an Africa Business Insider article in March of 2023, the highest gambling markets in Africa are the countries of South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda. In South Africa, though there are several dozen operational land casinos in the country, the most popular form of gambling is sports betting. Sports betting is also the most common form of gambling in Kenya. According to Statista, as of 2021, gambling among youth in Africa was highest in Kenya, with 84% saying they’ve participated in gambling.

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