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Betting is a growing problem among the young populations in Africa

Africa has a huge problem. Its young and growing population is an ideal target for global betting companies. In recent years these outfits have expanded their operations across the continent using aggressive marketing techniques.

The companies’ trump card is Africa’s passion for football. The European leagues are hugely popular, and gambling companies use this to attract punters. Many big European clubs are sponsored by betting companies, which gives the impression that football and betting are part of the same product.

In 2019, journalist Zoe Flood travelled to Uganda to make the acclaimed documentary ‘Gamblers Like Me: The Dark Side of Sports Betting’, which focused on the huge rise in gambling across Africa. Five years later, she attended Play the Game 2024 to show the documentary and give an update on the situation.

It is easy to bet, but very hard to make money from it

Collins Muhinda, the narrator of Flood’s documentary, used to be a compulsive gambler. Muhinda was accompanied by Flood’s film crew as he visited betting shops in his native Uganda, interviewing gamblers and their families.

These conversations brought home the ease with which people can fall into addiction and the devastation it can cause. Some have lost everything, Muhinda narrated, citing examples of gamblers using savings and tuition fees to feed their habit and even a case of suicide.

Uganda was chosen as the documentary’s location due to its large number of physical betting shops, which act as male social hubs with long opening hours. Elsewhere in the continent, betting via cell phone has never been easier.

Many people believe that they can make a living through gambling, Muhinda said in the film, a myth amplified by the marketing tactics of the betting companies.

Local celebrities are paid to promote gambling, while financial incentives are offered to entice new customers. Underage gamblers can easily place bets in physical shops, while many companies operate systems where agents are paid a commission to sign up new customers.

However, according to tax figures, pay-outs to African gamblers are lower than in other nations due to the poor value odds on offer. Although many gamblers believe the companies to be locally owned operators, they are often subsidiaries of big multinationals that shift profits out of the region.

In the film, the Ugandan government said it was working to improve regulation, and in January 2023 President Yoweri Museveni announced that no new licences or licence renewals would be issued to foreign-owned betting companies. In February 2024, two companies – 1XBet and Melbet – were forced to cease operations.

A problem primarily for men

When asked about the extent of problem gambling across Africa, Flood said that it was certainly greater than in Western countries.

“The figures are quite hard to come by, but a survey done on a group of 16-25-year-olds found that one in five could be termed a problem gambler,” she told Play the Game.

“This is very high compared to figures from the UK. It was difficult because it was a film about problem gambling so obviously, we were looking at those who were at the more extreme end. We didn’t really focus on those who didn’t have a problem.”

Flood said that she was conscious of the fact that the film featured very few women.

“However, this is to a large extent a male problem. The betting shops are almost entirely male-dominated. It was quite a difficult film to make in terms of access. As a woman, I was too disruptive to the environment at certain times.”

Virtual games provide quick dopamine hits

Flood also referred to so-called virtual games, which are becoming increasingly popular in Africa. Similar to traditional video games but played for a stake in betting shops, the games provide players with a “quick dopamine hit” through a digital match-up with a computer, typically a turbo-charged football match. They normally last only two or three minutes.

“I hadn’t really come across them before we made the film, and I was really surprised. Every betting shop we went into was running these virtual games, with football teams based on real teams. In reality, you are playing against a computer. I also saw virtual tennis and dog racing. It does seem like a particularly vulnerable area. It is almost like playing a slot machine. It’s a quick hit. “

While awareness of Africa’s gambling problem is growing, she said, resources appear lacking to tackle it on a large scale.

“As far as I am aware there is still no co-ordinated pan-African initiative to reduce gambling harm. All efforts seem to be at the local and grassroots level,” she said.

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National Sports Festival Gets New Date, To Allow Games Reflect New Vision Of Nigerian Sports

National Sports Festival Gets New Date, To Allow Games Reflect New Vision Of Nigerian Sports

The Joint Technical Committee for the 22nd National Sports Festival, Ogun 2024, has approved an adjustment of the Games’ dates to allow the Games reflect the new direction of sports in the country and also provide more time for the implementation of recommendations made during the joint technical meeting.

According to a communiqué jointly signed by the Director General of the National Sports Commission/Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Hon. Adebukola Olopade, and the Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development, Ogun State, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, the Gateway Games will now take place from May 16 to 30, 2025. Additionally, the zonal eliminations for team sports are scheduled to hold from February 23 to 28, 2025.

During the deliberations, the committee commended the Federal Government for its political will to develop sports in Nigeria through the creation of a dedicated Commission to manage sports affairs. They also lauded the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, MFR, as well as the Government and the good people of Ogun State, for their warm reception, hospitality, and commitment to successfully hosting and organizing the 22nd National Sports Festival.

Commendations were also extended to Chief Kunle Soname and the management of Babcock University for their support towards the organization of the Games.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Hon. Olopade explained that “in the spirit of the new definition of sports organization in Nigeria, creating an ecosystem of economic sustainability by Mr President, there was a need to push it forward to capture all of those elements together, he said.” “This would also get the Commission to settle down properly. We’re excited for the new date and the extra five months to put everything together and show the whole country what capacity is all about.”

Explaining the new initiative coming the 2024 NSF, Hon. Olopade said “when you think about the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative, where young promising athletes will compete as a 38th state, it is a promising move towards fostering development of our best young talents and it’s happening for the first time in the history of the Games.”

“It’s a strategy to empower young and promising talents, and create a pathway for them to be exposed at the top level. These athletes will compete against established athletes hoping to upset the status quo. It speaks to the core of what President Tinubu has asked of us to do,” the DG concluded.

The 1st Joint Technical Meeting for the 22nd National Sports Festival took place on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Banquet Hall, Mitros Residence and Suites, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The meeting was preceded by a technical assessment and inspection of the proposed venues and facilities for the Games, conducted by all major stakeholders present at the Joint Technical Meeting.

As part of the resolutions, it was agreed that a 2nd Joint Technical Meeting and Inspection Visit would be necessary to ensure that all observed issues have been adequately addressed ahead of the Games.

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Ivan Trajkovic: How Serbian Football Fake Agent Scammed, Assaulted Young Nigerian Player — The Full Story

Ivan Trajkovic: How Serbian Football Fake Agent Scammed, Assaulted Young Nigerian Player — The Full Story

Many young football stars around the world have fallen victim to fake football agents who promise them career growth abroad, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigerian youngster Moses Yamlak Jerry is the latest victim of such a scam, and his ordeal took a violent turn in Serbia.

Jerry shared a harrowing video on social media, revealing his swollen face and bloodied lips as evidence of a brutal assault by a Serbian man who had lured him to the country with false promises of a professional football career.

What Happened?
Moses disclosed that the fake agent had been extorting $1,500 monthly from his sponsor, assuring him that he would secure a contract with a football club upon his arrival in Serbia.

“I came into contact with a fake agent in Serbia. The agent has been collecting a lot of money from my sponsor—$1,500 every month. He promised that when I come over, I will go to a club and sign a contract,” Moses said in the video.

However, the agent knew that Jerry, being underage, was ineligible to sign a professional contract. The agent’s repeated demands eventually led Jerry’s sponsor to withdraw from the agreement, leaving the player stranded in Serbia.

After Jerry asked the agent to arrange a ticket back to Nigeria, tensions escalated, resulting in a violent altercation.

“I told him if there was a way to get a ticket back home, I would be grateful. The man said he didn’t have money for a ticket and that I should listen to him because he’s a good person. Later, he got angry and used a fork to stab my lip and smashed a chair on my head,” Jerry recounted.

Drogba’s Warning

Former Ivorian international Didier Drogba has previously warned young African talents to be cautious of fake agents. Speaking to Soccernet.ng, Drogba emphasised that aspiring players should focus on their on-field performance to attract genuine opportunities.

“Your best agent is not the guy you trust. The best agent you can have is yourself and your performance. This never lies,” Drogba said.

He added: “Exceptional performance attracts clubs’ attention. Many young players think an agent will find them a club, but that’s not how it works. Perform first, and if an agent approaches you, ensure they are listed on FIFA’s agent directory.”

NFF Intervenes
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stepped in to assist Moses Jerry. The young player is no longer in contact with the fraudulent agent, identified as Ivan Trajkovic, a Slovenian with a Serbian passport.

According to reports, the Nigerian football body has relocated Moses to a safe location while addressing the situation.

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Revealed: How Eguavoen And Troost-Ekong Snubbed Ademola Lookman In FIFA Awards Voting

Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen and captain William Troost-Ekong did not vote Ademola Lookman in their top three picks for the FIFA POTY Award, Soccernet.ng reports.

Lookman won the CAF Player of the Year on Monday. But just a day later, he was snubbed at the FIFA Awards, as he didn’t not get a single vote.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jnr emerged as the winner, while Manchester City star Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or emerged second. English midfielder Jude Bellingham was third.

The FIFA Awards are always decided by votes from players, coaches, and journalists from all FIFA associated federations. All the voters are allowed to pick just three of the nominees, with specific points awarded to the first, second, and third picks.

Interestingly, even though Nigeria had three representatives －Eguavoen, Troost-Ekong, and a top journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, Lookman did not get a single vote.

Coach Eguavoen voted Lionel Messi in first position, Vinicius Jnr. second, and Rodri third. Troost-Ekong voted Bellingham first, Vinicius Jnr second, and Rodri third. Then, Oluwashina voted Vinicius Jnr. first, Rodri second, and Bellingham third.

Everyone that was named in the top eleven got votes from their countries. Nonetheless, Lookman would still be happy, as he won the CAF Player of the Year award on Monday.

The Atalanta star will look to continue with his impressive performances and get more nominations for top Awards.

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