Factors that account for sports betting among the Ugandan youths in Kampala district.

Abstract

The research was set out to examine the factors that account for sports betting among the Ugandan youths in Kampala district. The study also had two specific objectives and two hypotheses. This study will be carried out among the youths (both boys and girls) of Kampala District. The age group included the youth (15-35 years). The sample size was calculated using Kish’s formula [1965] thus obtaining a sample of 61 respondents. Purposive sampling technique will be used to select units into the sample. This technique is based on characteristics of a population and the objective of the study. The study results further showed that; there was a statistically significant negative relationship at (at 5 percent level of significance) between the age and the number of times that youths spend doing sports betting in a month (sports betting) in this study since its P-value is less than 0.05. Furthermore, other factors such as highest education level, peer pressure and boredom significantly affected the number of times that youths spend doing sports betting in a month (sports betting) since their p-values were all less than 0.05. Spearman rank correlation results showed that someone’s income level has a negative weak significant relationship with (rs=-0.295, n = 88, P≤0.05). Study results also showed that the main solution to negative effects of sports betting in Kampala district is setting limits to betting time (53%). Other solutions include sensitization of youths (27%), setting limits on the gambling frequency (10%), create support programs for those addicted to betting (7%) and setting a limit on money to bet (3%). The study therefore recommends that the government of the republic of Uganda through the parliament should set laws against sports betting and the other hand it should sensitize the youths about the negative effects of engaging in sports betting.