GAP demands betting ban as gambling crisis grips Gambian youth
Gambian opposition party slams government for lifting gambling ban, warns of addiction, crime and social collapse among young people.
Gambia: The Gambia Action Party (GAP) has sounded the alarm on the country’s betting industry, renewing a fiery call for an immediate betting ban. It warns that gambling is fuelling addiction, rising crime and deepening cracks in the nation’s social fabric.
At the forefront of the charge is GAP leader Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, who has issued a direct plea to President Adama Barrow to reinstate the gambling prohibition scrapped in 2017.
“I urge President Barrow to take immediate action to address the alarming and harmful consequences of gambling on our society, particularly on young people,” said Batchilly in a strongly worded statement.
Rise of betting shops
GAP’s warning comes amid a rapid proliferation of betting shops across the country, sparking growing unease about their influence on the youth. Critics argue that these establishments are preying on economic desperation.
Batchilly painted a bleak picture of a society under siege from betting’s fallout – fractured families, distracted students, and communities plagued by theft and moral decay.
“Now even children under 18 are actively participating in betting and other forms of gambling. This poses a threat not only to their future but also to the stability and progress of our nation,” he said.
Gambia’s gambling background
Gambling was outlawed under former President Yahya Jammeh in 2015, who branded the industry “exploitative” and detrimental to youth. But in a controversial move, President Barrow lifted the ban in 2017, reopening the doors to the gambling industry.
GAP insists that the decision was a grave misstep.
“Betting and other forms of gambling are significant contributors of crime, theft and indiscipline. Many parents have lost control over their children as gambling becomes more entrenched in communities,” said Batchilly.
With rising reports of school dropouts, family conflicts and underage gambling, the call for action is gaining traction. While proponents defend gambling as a source of income and entertainment, GAP argues the cost is far too high. As the debate heats up, the future of betting in Gambia hangs in the balance.
