adminJoseph Madzimure Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Responsible Gambling Association has set aside the first week of October for various activities to educate punters on responsible gambling.
This follows widespread reports of how the family fabric is being torn apart as a result of irresponsible gambling.
Zimbabwe Responsible Gambling Association’s ececutive director Mr Marshall Tseke said gambling had contributed positively to the economic and social development of the country through employment creation and revenue generation for the fiscus, among others.
“Irresponsible gambling has become a big problem nowadays and there is urgent need to educate people on the social ills associated with this phenomenon. There is an upsurge in the breakdown of family relations, depression and domestic violence,” he said.
“Gambling has contributed positively to the economic and social development of the country through employment creation, revenue generation for the fiscus, enhancing the tourism sector and using the proceeds contributed by operators to improve infrastructure such as schools, among other noble initiatives. Gambling or gaming itself is a sport and should be played for fun. It becomes a problem when punters borrow to gamble, steal money or commit fraud to gamble, spend productive time betting, gambling out of need and chasing their losses. We are concerned as such cases are on the increase.”
The organisation has come up with various initiatives designed to encourage community discussions about why irresponsible gambling is harming families, punters themselves and even the gaming operators.
Various stakeholders including the Government and operators are in support of responsible gambling as shown by laws which restrict under-age betting and illegal activities within the gambling fraternity. However, there is an urgent need for a harmonised approach through various interventions in dealing with this overlooked problem potentially contributing to various forms of domestic violence, drug abuse, increase in the spread of HIV and unjustified killing of endangered wildlife such as vultures used mistakenly taken as charms for winning bets.
Mr Tseke said harm from irresponsible gambling is not just about social ills, but was affecting self-esteem, productive time, relationships, physical and mental health, work performance and social life among many Zimbabweans and was harming not only the person who gambles but also family, friends, workplaces and communities.
The organisation is embarking on an awareness week where various initiatives will be held across the country, beginning in Harare, followed by Bulawayo, cascading to other cities such as Victoria Falls — a tourism hub.
The organisation, together with its stakeholders, will conduct roadshows, awareness campaigns in betting houses and casinos.
Online Reporter