70% of Ugandan youth engage in gambling, study reveals
The survey collected data from 150 respondents.
Uganda.- A team of students from Kampala International School Uganda has published findings from their research on Ugandans’ access to gambling activities.
The study, conducted as part of the students’ IGCSE Global Perspectives Team Project, sheds light on Ugandan youth’s gambling habits.
According to the report, 70.3 per cent of the 150 respondents surveyed admitted to engaging in different types of gambling, such as sports betting, online casinos, lotteries and scratch cards.
The research also highlights a concerning trend of chasing losses, which can fuel addiction. 40.3 per cent of respondents reported betting further after losses to recoup their money, while 20.7 per cent chose to stop betting after losing.
On average, respondents lost UGX 115,332 (€27.66) betting, roughly three times their expected average winnings.
The students reported that the survey was completely anonymous to protect participant identities. Based on its results, the students plan to collaborate with the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) to embark on an awareness campaign that sheds light on the perils of underage gambling.
The development comes weeks after the NLGRB signed an MOU with Makerere University’s student leadership to promote responsible gaming practices. The partnership involves joint awareness campaigns and research initiatives to prevent and reduce problem gambling among students.
A recent research by GeoPoll identified Uganda as one of the African countries with the highest percentage of bettors.
