Malawi regulator warns against essential funds for betting at Phalombe outreach
The campaign formed part of Malawi’s activities for Africa Safer Gambling Week.
Malawi.- Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has warned the public against using essential household funds for betting, saying gambling should not be relied on to solve financial problems. The regulator issued the warning during a responsible gambling outreach programme at Holy Family College of Health Sciences in Phalombe on Saturday, September 12.
MAGLA public relations officer Nancy Malata said players should establish a spending limit before gambling and avoid borrowing money to place bets. She also cautioned against using money needed for necessities such as food, rent, bills and education for gambling.
She stressed that people should not allow gambling to disrupt their work, family relationships or other financial obligations. Malata also warned against viewing gambling as a solution to financial difficulties, noting that there is no guaranteed winning strategy.
MAGLA also called on licensed operators to comply with advertising requirements and make voluntary self-exclusion available to customers who want to stop gambling.
Phalombe Police spokesperson Sergeant Jimmy Kapanja linked some betting-related concerns to unemployment, saying financial pressures can encourage people to regard gambling as a business rather than entertainment. He said the regulator’s awareness campaign complemented police efforts to educate communities about safer gambling.
The event marked the close of Africa Safer Gambling Week activities in Malawi, a continent-wide initiative led by the African iGaming Association (AiA) to promote responsible gambling and increase awareness of gambling-related harms.
