Factors Compelling the Youth to Participate in Sports Betting. A Study of the Youth in Makindye Division Kampala.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand factors compelling the youth to participate in sports betting: A study of the youth in Makindye Division Kampala. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine what motivates the youth into sports betting, to find out why fewer female compared to male youth participate in sports betting and finally to understand the factors compelling the youth into participating in sports betting. The study used a cross sectional research design with both qualitative and quantitative research methods which help to gather information on factors that compels the youths into sports betting. The sample size of the study was 61 including 4 members who participated in a focused group discussion these were selected using purposive sampling method. Questionnaires and interview guides were generated to collect the required data that was later analyzed using Statistical Package for social scientist (SPSS). The findings of the study highlighted that there are a number of factors that compels the youths into sports betting amongst them includes the desire to make quick money, peer influence, and the desire to do away with boredom. The study further indicates that the small percentage of female gambling may be as a result of the orientation of most community settings where women are discouraged and are sometimes not allowed to participate in “manly activities”. Women in Africa especially in rural settings are barred from some manly activities and gambling is not exceptional. Gambling by its nature is perceived as an unethical activity especially in strong traditional and religious communities. Given the general social perception that gambling is bad, some women may therefore shy away from gambling because of perceived isolation and victimization from society. Additionally, the study revealed that most of the people who participate in sports betting are unemployed youths while there are few adults members. One of the reasons that were given for the high population of youths in sports betting is attributed to population dynamics in that the largest number of people in both urban and rural areas is the youths and this also covers the whole country. Finally, the study concluded with some recommendations such as There is need for social awareness, civil society organizations should work with communities in pointing out the dangers of sports betting especially among the youths by using appropriate media.