Bet, lose, repeat: Desperation dressed as side hustle

From the days of betting on horses to the digital era of online gambling, the evolution of sports betting has intensified, becoming so addictive that some people reportedly sleep at betting shops. The rise of gambling houses has not only drawn men in droves, but increasingly, adult women, particularly in urban centres, are becoming regulars.A Network Media Hub (NMH) investigation has uncovered that many individuals at betting shops view the activity as a legitimate form of “hustling”.Unemployed 22-year-old Matthew Shikongo, who considers himself a regular sporting hustler, said: “We have so many streams of hustling and online betting is one of them. We lose our money on a weekly basis betting and just trying our luck.”In the heart of Katutura, sports betting venues are often littered with discarded receipts, evidence of dozens of daily attempts by gamblers to turn their last dollar into a fortune. The crowds swell during soccer leagues, with individuals returning day after day, each time clinging to the hope of a big win.The probe also uncovered the growing presence of women at sports betting venues. While men tend to focus on soccer matches, particularly pools and jackpot games, women are more drawn to Bingo machines.Another bettor, who declined to be named, said he wagers daily because he sees it as an easy way to make money.“Even if I do not win today, tomorrow I will definitely win. It's all about studying the matches and players, once you have that in the bag, then your chances of winning are not too far off. I have won a few times before; that's why I have so much confidence to always come back and try again. Who knows, maybe I can become a millionaire just off N$10,” he said.A woman employed at a well-known sports betting venue in Rundu confirmed that while business slows during mid-month weekdays, it spikes during holidays and major soccer matches.“But on weekdays, especially around the middle of the month, we do not really have many. When there are soccer matches, during the league seasons and tournaments, we get more customers. But when there are no big matches, especially the important ones, the number drops. So, not many customers then,” she said, adding that although customers stay late, they are not allowed past closing time.Meanwhile, gambling houses across the country, particularly in Windhoek, see a steady stream of gamblers from Monday to Sunday, with Fridays through Sundays being the busiest.One long-time gambler, who spoke on condition of anonymity, painted a stark picture of addiction, secrecy, and massive financial loss behind Windhoek’s glittering gambling façade.“If I tell you the money that I lost, maybe I lost close to N$4 million just at Country Club,” he said. “At other places, maybe more. But I keep going. I’m there every day.”According to him, his gambling began in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. What started as casual play quickly spiraled into a near-daily routine, with massive losses and only a few notable wins.“I play like N$200,000 a month, easy. And I’ve never won anything serious at Country Club. The most I’ve won there was maybe N$60,000. Compare that to what I have lost? It doesn’t even come close,” he said.“I remember at Avani, I won like N$400,000 over two nights. But that’s it. That’s the only time. Out of all these years, I’ve only had two or three wins worth talking about.”He said the machines are designed to defeat the gambler: “It is a setup. The house must always win. The machines spin in weird ways, almost like they’re searching for the empty number.”Despite this, the emotional toll remains buried beneath silence. “We don’t talk about it. Even when we’re suffering, we hide it from our families, our friends. It’s like a disease you don’t want anyone to know about,” he confessed.He noted that the problem is widespread: “People who don’t even work, some are there in the morning. After work, others go straight there. Even ladies are into it now, bingo machines especially. But nobody will tell you they’re addicted. You just see them there, every day.”“These guys [casino operators] need to be investigated. It’s a syndicate. You must go there in the morning when they open, the numbers will shock you. Then come back in the evening, it’s full again.”Betting and gambling have long been rising concerns in Namibia, with media reports highlighting the growing popularity of these activities, especially among the youth.While gambling offers the allure of fast money, the trend has raised red flags about its impact on young men, many of whom are increasingly falling into cycles of addiction and financial despair.Clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker warned that online gambling and sports betting are exacerbating the problem, especially among the youth.“It has become so easy and accessible, it’s spreading fast. For many, it feels like a natural extension of video games. That sense of thrill and reward translates easily into the world of online gambling, which normalises the behaviour. That’s dangerous,” he said.“Young people, lacking life experience, tend to be more impulsive and take bigger risks. It’s not just an innocent pastime, people lose control. It starts to negatively affect their relationships, their finances, and their overall well-being.”Whittaker added that gambling often becomes a dysfunctional coping mechanism. “When people feel stressed or depressed, they gamble. Some even convince themselves that gambling is a way out of financial problems, that they can somehow predict or control the outcome, which is clearly not true,” he said.“Financial loss leads to deeper depression, anxiety, and in some cases, even suicidal thoughts. Most people lose most of the time. It only worsens their financial situation, more debt, more stress. Relationships inevitably suffer. Money that could have gone toward food, clothing, or family needs is instead lost to gambling. In some cases, people even commit crimes to get money to feed their addiction.”Deputy Sport Minister Dino Ballotti said moderation is key. “Personally, I do not see anything wrong with sports betting. I have lost each of the three times I’ve tried and I guess that’s proven to me that I should quit while ahead,” he said.“For our young people, I would be concerned if they have become addicted to gambling in any form and would urge them to seek professional help.”Lüderitz mayor Phil Balhao said he is neither for nor against betting, but remains deeply concerned about its impact on communities.“Many Lüderitz residents have unfortunately wagered their last cents, leaving their families destitute and facing severe hardship. This trend underscores the need for responsible engagement and awareness around the potential social consequences,” he said.“It is also worth noting that betting companies are making significant profits in our area, and I believe they have a responsibility to give back to the communities they operate in. I would like to see these companies contribute through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects that support local development, education, and social welfare initiatives.”“We remain committed to fostering a balanced approach that considers both the economic opportunities and the social risks associated with betting, working together with community stakeholders to promote responsible behavior,” he added.Efforts to get comments from sports betting companies and gambling houses on the impact of gambling on Namibia’s youth proved futile.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Bet, lose, repeat: Desperation dressed as side hustle

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-31

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Bet, lose, repeat: Desperation dressed as side hustle

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-31

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