Gambling as a way out of Nigeria Harsh economic Situation

[Lida93]

Gambling and betting should not be a way to survive. Most people that are gambling and betting are losing more than they are winning. Nigerians has been gambling very much since many years ago. I can still remember how it was in 2012 or maybe some more years back when the country was still better. Nigerians like going to betting agents. If there is more money in the country, I do not think this will change. Those that are average or rich are using their device to go online and gamble instead.

Do remember, for those people who don't have much activity to do in their daily life and if there are betting shops around - for sure, they will find a way how to find money and use it for betting. This is why, some of them will incur debt from their neighbors or friends just to supply their gambling habits.

Many of those persons it is not that they don't have much activity as such to do but that they have chosen to now want to involve in any form of activity that may stress them or require energy to make money. They have just reduced themselves to being lazy believing on gambling as an escape route from their mental laziness.

Anyone is free to gamble irrespective of social/financial status but having to make gambling a full time job is just unthinkable and wrong at same time. I don't think I will agree to harbour the excesses of a family member or friend who only gambles but don't want to do other things to support himself financially.

[EarnOnVictor]

-snip-
To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

This post would have been best discussed at the Naija board of the forum, nevertheless, it's worth discussing.

Frankly, gambling is not the solution in any economic situation or for anyone seeking financial freedom because it's not a job, business or investment, and if care is not taken, it will increase the pains and suffering of the person(s). Gambling should be regarded as an activity and not an income means. Fine, some people might be earning passive income through it, but I tell you that it would be a bumpy ride for them, they can't depend on it unless if they hit it big at times (by luck) and add other businesses/investments to it later with the luckily made money.

This is why some people mistake gambling for success when they hear of some people making it in gambling. How many are even making it in gaming? Most of this misinformation can't be proven, so it's best we empower ourselves finally with other means not something that will rely on luck and that can fail us when we need it most.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

Gambling or Betting is the act of using money to stake in an event with the intentions of profit or making gain out of it
Before now there was a tag that was given to those who use there Money in gambling as they where seen as people who has missed their way or they where seen as wayward or even people without any future

But the narrative is changing gradually as betting has taken a center stage in the country, infact there is no family in the country that you go to that someone don't bet, there's hardly no street that you passes by in the country that you don't see a betting shop open for business and these betting shops runs from morning till night to tell you how busy these shops are it's the workers in the shops that will beg the customers to go home as they wants to close and rest from the days activities around 8_9pm in the evening

One thing that is of concern to me is the kind of person's that you will find inside the betting shop as you will find different class of people ranging from small to big , old and young and of recent even woman has started gambling

This got me thinking and I came came to the conclusion that betting or gambling is now a way out of the harsh economic situation that we find our self in the country

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

Being a Nigerian who currently lives in Nigeria and know/experienced first hand, what the cost of living or livelihood is in the country, I have no absolute reason whatsoever to doubt any of what you have said.
But on the other hand, I personally feel pained because, life possibly would have been much easier for people in the country today if gambling was really a reliable source of income, and this is why I always prayed and still pray to never see myself, or my family members, or my friends and any one related to me in a situation where we have to depend on gambling proceeds for livelihood, for it can become really hard if for whatever reason, one faces a long losing streak and possibly ran out of money to continue gambling.

So my advice is, even as people are gambling and hoping to win good amount of money, they should not fail to also look for alternatives sources of income, could be online or offline, there are so many things to make money from this days including trading and airdrop farming.

[kotajikikox]

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

Well, if someone makes money from gambling then nothing is wrong in that approach but if someone considers gambling as only source of income then that's a very wrong type of mindset. One can earn some money from gambling but one can't earn a lot of money always from gambling no matter how good he/she is at it.

That is where the gambling becomes irresponsible when the gamblers are treating this place to make money feeding their family .
we cab enjoy playing but that is only when we are losing enough amount for losing and not the amount for the table  for foods .

This got me thinking and I came came to the conclusion that betting or gambling is now a way out of the harsh economic situation that we find our self in the country..

...there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting...

Or they could only make it worst. And their way to end their life talking about survival on gambling instead of doing a real job to earn a profit. It doesn't make any sense. Gambling doesn't give guarantee a profit, real job is.

There is  a time for work and time to gamble .

[arwin100]

Gambling and betting should not be a way to survive. Most people that are gambling and betting are losing more than they are winning. Nigerians has been gambling very much since many years ago. I can still remember how it was in 2012 or maybe some more years back when the country was still better. Nigerians like going to betting agents. If there is more money in the country, I do not think this will change. Those that are average or rich are using their device to go online and gamble instead.

Do remember, for those people who don't have much activity to do in their daily life and if there are betting shops around - for sure, they will find a way how to find money and use it for betting. This is why, some of them will incur debt from their neighbors or friends just to supply their gambling habits.

Many of those persons it is not that they don't have much activity as such to do but that they have chosen to now want to involve in any form of activity that may stress them or require energy to make money. They have just reduced themselves to being lazy believing on gambling as an escape route from their mental laziness.

Anyone is free to gamble irrespective of social/financial status but having to make gambling a full time job is just unthinkable and wrong at same time. I don't think I will agree to harbour the excesses of a family member or friend who only gambles but don't want to do other things to support himself financially.

I also don't think that they don't have much activities in real life. Since for sure that lots of those people strive hard to make a living to survive on harsh economic condition in their country. But some people just think about that if they can win a jackpot on gambling then maybe there's instant changes that might happen in their life. I believe gambling success stories like winning huge money or jackpot from gambling create certain fantasy to other people that they can escape poverty if they win. That's why many still got hook up and try to gamble maybe everyday to test their luck if they can hit their targets since somehow some of those people believe that consistency bring good fortunes on their sides.

[gunhell16]

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

Well, if someone makes money from gambling then nothing is wrong in that approach but if someone considers gambling as only source of income then that's a very wrong type of mindset. One can earn some money from gambling but one can't earn a lot of money always from gambling no matter how good he/she is at it.

It's right that as long as you don't affect or ruin other people's lives, you can just gamble. The difficult thing is that when you get really greedy, for sure a lot of things can happen that are not good in the end. One of which is the destruction of relationships, family, and other things.

And the worst of all, it leads to crime or suicide in severe stress or depression, which I hope does not end up like this as a gambler. Although you can get a nice profit in gambling if luck favors you on the day you gamble.

[Gozie51]

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

You are not totally wrong in this submission but it is still a very low percentage of people that have taken gambling as source of income or that have succeeded in it. For those who have "put their two legs on it", they do that as business. They play very small odd with high staking power which is quite risky.

Overall, the fact that the economy is hard or difficult does not mean that gambling all the way is an escaping route. It is not because you can lose all you have earned and begin very scratch which means taking you backwards.

Nevertheless, people have actually made it in gambling but those that have lost are greater. Despite hard times, people still lose in gambling and they are frustrated. It is always better to gamble with money you won't regret to lose because it is still what it is, a luck base game.

[Bushdark]

Gambling and betting should not be a way to survive. Most people that are gambling and betting are losing more than they are winning. Nigerians has been gambling very much since many years ago. I can still remember how it was in 2012 or maybe some more years back when the country was still better. Nigerians like going to betting agents. If there is more money in the country, I do not think this will change. Those that are average or rich are using their device to go online and gamble instead.

Do remember, for those people who don't have much activity to do in their daily life and if there are betting shops around - for sure, they will find a way how to find money and use it for betting. This is why, some of them will incur debt from their neighbors or friends just to supply their gambling habits.

Many of those persons it is not that they don't have much activity as such to do but that they have chosen to now want to involve in any form of activity that may stress them or require energy to make money. They have just reduced themselves to being lazy believing on gambling as an escape route from their mental laziness.

Anyone is free to gamble irrespective of social/financial status but having to make gambling a full time job is just unthinkable and wrong at same time. I don't think I will agree to harbour the excesses of a family member or friend who only gambles but don't want to do other things to support himself financially.

Nothing should be wrong with people gambling, trying hard to make extra money to the ones they have. This is a game of chance and anyine can decide on if they are interested in it or not. It is clear that the economy could be hard per say but gambling is always seen as a mean to earn a living mostly in community that their is no much jobs for people. The problem comes in when their are too many gamblers due to lack of employments which can pose a threat to the country advancement because of what the youth that are meant to be productive are currently involving themselves in gambling activities.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

-snip-
To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

This post would have been best discussed at the Naija board of the forum, nevertheless, it's worth discussing.

Frankly, gambling is not the solution in any economic situation or for anyone seeking financial freedom because it's not a job, business or investment, and if care is not taken, it will increase the pains and suffering of the person(s). Gambling should be regarded as an activity and not an income means. Fine, some people might be earning passive income through it, but I tell you that it would be a bumpy ride for them, they can't depend on it unless if they hit it big at times (by luck) and add other businesses/investments to it later with the luckily made money.

This is why some people mistake gambling for success when they hear of some people making it in gambling. How many are even making it in gaming? Most of this misinformation can't be proven, so it's best we empower ourselves finally with other means not something that will rely on luck and that can fail us when we need it most.

Yes, it's obvious that gambling can't be treated like a regular job, which means it will not give you the money that you needed in order to survived. Perhaps there are not jobs in the country, and so there are many unemployed and the only way that they think of is to just go for the easy money and gamble because that is the only way for them to survived with no jobs and the country economy are worsening.

And probably this is why the country is really trying to curb gambling by implementing tighter rules for gambling so that not everyone can play and go on the betting shops. Or tighter regulations as well for betting shops so that they will also be careful on who can bet on them and who's not.

[coin-investor]

This got me thinking and I came came to the conclusion that betting or gambling is now a way out of the harsh economic situation that we find our self in the country

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

Your country is not alone on this one, there are many people all around the world who takes up gambling as their way to escape being slaves to poverty, Because of the economic situation, they give up the hope that their job and the government can help them alleviate their situation, and another thing is they saw some of their country man actually made a fortune in gambling like Lottery and they are dreaming to be the next one to do that.

Gambling is another way for people in hopeless regions to survive their condition; they take a shot at destiny, not knowing that they are being abused by gambling operators; they even gave them loans just to gamble. its a worse case to be in this position, and people are dying pinning their hope to gambling.

[Adbitco]

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

Notation that people from within the Nigeria do say about those who are gambling because sometimes those who are gambling are the people who gives people around this mindsets that gambling is bad or wrong, why because since they spent time and even spending their whole day into betting shops they send a very bad messages to the people around community that gambling is entirely bad or wrong thing to get oneself involved with.

If people gambles responsibly there would be no day were you would come to hear people saying speaking against gambling, for instance you can go to the gamble shops place bet and walk straight to your home who would come see you as an irresponsible gambler? When you gamble and place bet then fold up your bet slip into your pocket and walk calmly to your home and focused on other business would someone tags you as an irresponsible person? To me i will say "No" because you wouldn't be pictured that way as an irresponsible gambler.

What matters is composure and how we go around spending time out there giving the general public the notation that gambling is wrong or for people to began to see you as an irresponsible gamble, because from the onset they caused it and have already sent bad messages to people around. Holding betting slip moving round shows amature or as a newbie gambler. I believe there has been people who are gambling calmly and inside their home without even coming to the local betting shops for people to see them.

[famososMuertos]

Gambling or Betting is the act of using money to stake in an event with the intentions of profit or making gain out of it
Before now there was a tag that was given to those who use there Money in gambling as they where seen as people who has missed their way or they where seen as wayward or even people without any future

But the narrative is changing gradually as betting has taken a center stage in the country, infact there is no family in the country that you go to that someone don't bet, there's hardly no street that you passes by in the country that you don't see a betting shop open for business and these betting shops runs from morning till night to tell you how busy these shops are it's the workers in the shops that will beg the customers to go home as they wants to close and rest from the days activities around 8_9pm in the evening

One thing that is of concern to me is the kind of person's that you will find inside the betting shop as you will find different class of people ranging from small to big , old and young and of recent even woman has started gambling

This got me thinking and I came came to the conclusion that betting or gambling is now a way out of the harsh economic situation that we find our self in the country

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

No! and Not!


*Betting/gambling does not solve difficult economic situations for anyone.

I do believe that it can be a profession, but just like being a police officer, an architect, etc., it requires dedication and talent, it is not for everyone.

Finally, to cut a long story short, the winnings from betting should be an extra to your income and you should spend them (not a recommendation) on things that you would not normally do with your main income.

^{*Betting/gambling:Usually one indication is used for sports betting and the other for gambling.}

[Wexnident]

~

It's... not? While yes I'd say there's a lot of people that gamble, I don't think they are (or should) even consider it as an out for their current economic situation. That's just not helping at all. Though I guess it's more of a statement rather than a question based on what you're saying OP and I feel rather sad that such a thing could even be considered.

I'm just rather curious since they're gambling it out trying to escape the harsh situation, how do they live day to day? If they were able to feed themselves somehow then I don't think there's any purpose in gambling at all. Especially if they just want to hit it big, it wouldn't happen to 99% of them. Especially in cases with families where parents have more than just their own mouths to feed.

[rodskee]

We must not rely our living in gambling  because this is really something that will worsen the situation and our living , there have been many people that losses their good living just because of gambling and for me ?
i will never let mey life ruined because of gambling  .

[Julien_Olynpic]

I don't think gambling can be a way out for anyone in a difficult economic situation, much less for an entire country. I could still believe in investments - they can really help the middle class and even the poor to raise their material status. But as for gambling - it's an illusion. I recently read statistics from a bookmaker. He wrote that about 0.2% of players are profitable in the long term in sports betting. As for casino games, which are completely based on luck, there are no long-term profitable players at all. Their percentage is zero. Nigeria should develop small businesses to provide employment for large masses of people, and not rely on gambling.

[Coin_trader]

We must not rely our living in gambling  because this is really something that will worsen the situation and our living , there have been many people that losses their good living just because of gambling and for me ?
i will never let mey life ruined because of gambling  .

A must doesn’t mean people will follow it. People living on high poverty country like the description of the OP usually neglect all these red flags and focus on the hope of winning big instantly in exchange of risking their money since they think it’s their only way to escape poverty.

People in dire situation don’t consider what’s wrong and right rather they will just follow what they think it’s right to satisfy themselves. This is the reason why we keep gambling knowing that we can’t win long term due to the house edge because we are getting satisfaction on what we think it’s right.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

Finally, to cut a long story short, the winnings from betting should be an extra to your income and you should spend them (not a recommendation) on things that you would not normally do with your main income.

That's right, even in disciplines where you can have an edge to make money in the long run, such as sports betting and poker, you should take it as an extra income.

But relying on gambling like casino games to try to get out of your bad financial situation is shooting yourself in the foot.

[Synchronice]

This got me thinking and I came came to the conclusion that betting or gambling is now a way out of the harsh economic situation that we find our self in the country

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

Gambling is not a way out of the harsh economic situation. People in your country gamble because this is their last hope, to become rich one day via a lucky spin or roll. This is actually the destruction of the society where government is a catalyst of this process but the sad fact is that people try to find hope in something that's only going to worsen their situation.
I think it will be good if you try to run some campaign that will educate people about gambling. I assume you are Nigerian and represent your community, so at some point it's your duty to do that. There might be people who will donate you if you actually run a campaign and try your best to fix the situation, at least in your small area.

[Ziskinberg]

infact there is no family in the country that you go to that someone don't bet,....

We got some huge problem here...

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

People's mindset is really off when they think gambling could help them survive. There’s a reason why we're advised to treat gambling as entertainment because, in reality, our chances of winning are very slim. And what happened to "gamble what you can afford to lose"? I believe Nigeria is not a rich country, so people are just gambling to survive? Who fed them that idea? Who played with their minds? It’s very wrong, and the more people gamble, the more they struggle financially, leading to a higher poverty rate.

And this is just one of the many effects of rapid growth of gambling interest in this country. ........

Online gambling in Nigeria poses huge financial risks, as banks report N9.5 billion loss in 2023

The MD, represented by Temidayo Adekanye, the NIBSS Chief Risk Officer, raised concerns about the alarming rise in electronic fraud in the country's financial sector, particularly in the online gaming business. He pointed out that the CBN's cashless strategy is in part to blame for the rise in banking sector e-fraud.

[mindrust]

To tell you how serious gambling has become in the country there are people who literally survives on gambling as they have taken it as their job to be betting, so the next time you see someone betting and playing virtual game inside the betting shop just know they are not useless but looking for a way to survive

Well, if someone makes money from gambling then nothing is wrong in that approach but if someone considers gambling as only source of income then that's a very wrong type of mindset. One can earn some money from gambling but one can't earn a lot of money always from gambling no matter how good he/she is at it.

The way I see it, gambling is a luxury way to pass the time which only the rich people can afford. If a poor person is gambling instead of paying his bills, obviously he is doing it very wrong. Do you buy a lambo with borrowed money when you are dirt poor? No, you don't do that and because of that, if you are poor, you shouldn't be gambling too.

But guess what, many people make bets to get rich. That's where it all goes crap. I guess greed is the main problem here. People just don't know when to stop.

Many people are poor in Nigeria too. Instead of gambling, these people should find other ways of making more money but on the other hand, I can understand their angle too because being a hardworking person in Nigeria isn't going to pay well probably.