Gambling activities in Uganda are widespread – with most gaming owners targeting low-income neighbourhoods in urban and peri-urban areas.
While gambling is supposed to be a leisure activity, research shows that in Uganda nearly three quarters (73%) of those betting do so to earn money or as an economic activity to improve their lives. Another study reported that as many as 80% of Ugandan punters do it for money while a paltry 15% do it for leisure.
Yet, many people end up losing, fall into cycle of debt, suffer mental breakdown while others fall into hands of extortionists as they resort to illegal betting activities. In this photo essay, we highlight gambling activities in the country.
A building sandwiched by signposts of betting companies in Kasubi, a low-income suburb of Kampala. Many betting shops are intentionally situated in crowded spaces such as near markets, transport stages, and schools to attract the youth into participating in gaming activities
A young man gambling on his phone. Online gambling platforms provide easy access at any time. This exacerbated the gambling crisis where young men spend countless hours on their phones and computers trying to look for winning deals.
It is about hope: A young man in Kampala shows off his receipt of placed bets. Many keep hoping that their receipt wins and changes their life. It is usually the opposite.
Besides the regulated betting activities, illegal betting is widespread in the country. This increases the harm that those who engage in it suffer as it lacks guarantees for payment, and fights leading to injury or death.
The proliferation of online gambling has meant that there is limited control on where one gambles from. Many offshore gambling websites advertise towards Ugandan consumers, giving a false sense of comfort. These offshore sports books lack consumer protection and hardly care about age or responsible gambling.
