Eswatini raises youth health concerns over online gambling
Shabangu said gambling-related stress can affect sleep and mood, particularly when players become focused on winning back money they have lost.
Eswatini.- Eswatini’s Ministry of Health has raised concerns about the potential health effects of gambling among young people, citing stress, sleep disruption and financial pressure among the issues that can arise from frequent betting.
Vusi Shabangu, the ministry’s Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) health promotion officer, said the growing availability of online gambling means young people can access betting platforms through smartphones and other digital devices without visiting physical betting outlets.
Shabangu said gambling-related stress can affect sleep and mood, particularly when players become focused on winning back money they have lost. He noted that the expectation of making money can also encourage repeated betting after an initial win.
He gave the example of a player staking E5, winning E50 and then reinvesting the winnings in the hope of generating a larger return. According to Shabangu, continuing to increase stakes in this way can move players away from responsible gambling.
The health official linked prolonged stress and insufficient sleep to broader NCD risk factors, including those associated with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. He also warned that financial losses could add pressure when gambling involves money intended for household essentials such as food, school fees and electricity.
Shabangu advised gamblers to avoid chasing losses by placing additional bets and urged families to be alert to signs such as excessive gambling, financial difficulties, sleep problems and emotional distress.
The comments form part of wider NCD prevention efforts in Eswatini aimed at addressing lifestyle and behavioural factors that can contribute to long-term health risks. It comes as the country works to strengthen its regulatory framework for online gambling, with new rules expected to shape how gambling operators offer services through digital platforms.
