It often begins innocently enough. A young man scrolls through his phone and comes across an advert promising easy winnings. “Stake 100, win 10,000,” it reads, or something like that. He tries his luck.
He wins a little. Then he loses a little more. Eventually, he’s in too deep. What started as an experiment turns into a compulsion, and before he knows it, he’s stuck in a cycle of gambling that chips away at his finances, his mental health and his relationships.
This story of addiction isn’t fiction. It’s the reality for thousands of young Kenyans, even older adults. Gambling has silently embedded itself into the social fabric, and what many see as a harmless game is proving to be a national emergency.
Kenya’s gambling crisis is complex. It’s not just about money being lost in betting shops or on online platforms; it’s about lives being disrupted, futures derailed and families torn apart. President William Ruto, recognising the scope of the problem, recently issued directed the Ministry of Interior to intensify a crackdown on betting firms, lamenting that gambling was “destroying an entire generation”.
The government has moved to restrict gambling adverts, review licensing frameworks and regulate the industry more rigorously. These steps are commendable, and they mark an official recognition of a crisis that has long been overlooked.
However, the impact of gambling goes far beyond lax regulation. The issue is psychological, moral and deeply social. I recently had a sobering engagement with Dr Gladys Mwiti, a psychiatrist with decades of experience in trauma and public mental health. Dr Mwiti reached out to me, concerned that the gambling phenomenon is worsening and urged that its psychological consequences be brought into sharper focus. She described the current situation as nothing short of a mental health emergency, one that is largely misunderstood and dangerously under-addressed.
Gambling addiction, Dr Mwiti explained, is not unlike drug dependency. It rewires the brain’s reward system. The more one gambles, the more the brain chases the high of a win, no matter how infrequent. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the psychological need for the ‘next win’.
Over time, the gambler becomes trapped in a cycle of hope, risk and despair. The most dangerous illusion is the ‘near-win’, the false sense that success is just one more bet away. These are not simply poor decisions, they are compulsions rooted in neuropsychological conditioning.
For many young Kenyans, gambling offers an escape from the harsh realities of unemployment and poverty. With few opportunities for formal employment or education, they turn to gambling as a way to find quick success. Gambling platforms promise the illusion of wealth, a fast track to a better life. In a nation where millions of youths are seeking employment opportunities, the pull of this false promise becomes irresistible. But the truth is that gambling rarely delivers what it promises. Instead, it leads many into deeper financial distress, anxiety and hopelessness.
The youth demographic is particularly vulnerable. Unemployment, lack of opportunities and idleness are contributing to the rising gambling culture. What was once a pastime has become an all-consuming activity for many young people. They spend hours in betting shops or on their phones, immersed in betting apps, sometimes skipping school or work in favour of the fleeting thrill of the game.
The impact of gambling extends far beyond the individual. It has profound consequences for families. Marriages are breaking down under the weight of gambling addiction. Breadwinners have turned into financial liabilities, and children have been pulled out of school because the money meant for education has been squandered on bets. Domestic violence and emotional neglect are increasingly common in homes where gambling has taken root. Even worse, many of those struggling with gambling addiction refuse to seek help because they are either unaware of the severity of their condition or they feel ashamed to admit they have a problem.
This crisis is exacerbated by the stigma surrounding mental health in Kenya. Services to address gambling addiction are scarce, and mental health treatment is inaccessible to the majority of those who need it. Gambling addiction is often dismissed as a moral failing rather than being treated as a medical condition requiring intervention. In a society where many people already feel alienated due to economic hardship, the added burden of gambling addiction is often hidden, pushing those affected further into isolation.
To tackle this crisis effectively, a multi-faceted, long-term approach is necessary. Regulation alone cannot stem the tide of gambling addiction. While the crackdown on gambling firms and the regulation of advertising are crucial first steps, we must look at the bigger picture. We need public education campaigns that help the public understand the risks of gambling addiction and how to engage in responsible gambling. We must normalise mental health care and expand services to treat gambling addiction as a recognised mental health issue. It is also crucial to promote awareness in schools, colleges, and workplaces about the dangers of gambling and the importance of making informed decisions.
More importantly, we must address the root causes of the gambling crisis, youth idleness and unemployment. Young people need more than just jobs; they need mentorship, opportunities for skill building and avenues to channel their ambitions. Youth engagement programmes should be prioritised, offering meaningful activities that divert attention away from gambling and provide alternative pathways to success. This would help instil a sense of purpose and achievement in a generation that is at risk of being lost to the illusions of easy money. Furthermore, stronger enforcement of age verification systems on gambling platforms is needed. Betting companies should be compelled not only to pay taxes but also to contribute to national rehabilitation and awareness programmes. A national dialogue involving the government, the private sector, civil society, and families is critical to finding sustainable solutions. All stakeholders need to come together to protect young Kenyans from falling deeper into this growing crisis.
It is important to remember that gambling is not just an individual problem, it’s a national issue that affects families, communities, and the economy. While the government’s efforts to regulate and crack down on gambling companies are steps in the right direction, it is clear that the problem runs deeper than legislation alone. We need a comprehensive approach that includes education, prevention, treatment, and support for those affected.
