Bet, lose, repeat

It’s 10:00 am in Hakahana. A group of men - most of them unemployed – are squatting outside a betting shop, eyeing the gambling machines even before the doors open. The moment the employees opened the shop, there’s a scramble. Each man tries to secure one of the few gambling machines inside.From horse-racing tickets to digital jackpots, gambling in Namibia has entered a new phase - fast, flashy, and dangerously accessible. What was once a niche pursuit is now a daily ritual for many, with some even sleeping at betting outlets.An investigation by Namibian Sun reveals that the betting phenomenon is no longer confined to men. Increasing numbers of women, especially in urban areas, are also becoming regulars - many favouring Bingo machines over sports bets.One of them, aged 85, won N$500 000 from a betting outlet in Walvis Bay a week ago. “It is the biggest betting story I’ve ever come across,” an onlooker told this publication.‘Betting is a hustle’For 22-year-old Matthew Shikongo, online sports betting is just another form of survival. “We have so many streams of hustling, and online betting is one of them,” he said. “We lose money weekly, just trying our luck.”Across Katutura’s betting venues, discarded slips litter the ground - a paper trail of shattered hopes. Betting shops fill up during soccer seasons, with regulars returning daily, chasing the elusive ‘big win.’One anonymous gambler explained the draw: “Even if I don’t win today, tomorrow I might. I study the matches and the players. I’ve won before. That’s why I keep coming back. Who knows? Maybe I can become a millionaire with just N$10.”A growing obsessionAn employee at a sports betting outlet in Rundu confirmed the trend: “We’re quiet during mid-month weekdays, but during soccer leagues or public holidays, we’re full. People stay until closing. Some want to stay even longer.”Nationwide, gambling houses report constant foot traffic, with weekends especially busy. But behind the neon lights and jackpot jingles lie darker truths - addiction, secrecy, and staggering losses.One longtime gambler confessed he’s lost close to N$4 million - mostly at a popular high-end casino in Windhoek.“I’m there every day. I’ve played over N$200 000 a month. The most I’ve ever won at Country Club was N$60 000. That doesn’t come close to what I’ve lost.”He recounted a rare N$400 000 win at a CBD-based casino over two nights but called it an exception in years of near-daily play. “The machines are designed to beat you. It’s a setup. The house always wins,” he said.He described gambling as a hidden illness. “We suffer in silence. We hide it from our families. Nobody admits they’re addicted - you just see them there every day.”‘It’s spreading like wildfire’Psychologist Shaun Whittaker warned that the ease and allure of online betting are driving a surge in gambling addiction—particularly among young people.“It feels like a natural extension of video games—thrill, reward, repetition. But this is not a harmless game,” he said. “It affects relationships, finances, and mental health.”Whittaker added that gambling is often a coping mechanism for deeper problems. “People convince themselves they can win their way out of poverty. That’s a dangerous myth. Most people lose, most of the time.”He warned that continued losses lead to anxiety, depression, and sometimes suicidal thoughts. “People end up in deeper debt. Some even commit crimes just to fund their habit.”A national concernDeputy sport minister Dino Ballotti urged moderation. “Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with sports betting. I’ve tried it three times and lost every time - so I stopped,” he said.“But if young people are addicted, they need help. It should never reach a point where it affects your life negatively.”Lüderitz mayor Phil Balhao echoed this concern. “Too many residents have gambled away their last cents, leaving families in severe hardship. Betting companies must step up and contribute to the communities they profit from.”He called for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in education and welfare. “We need a balanced approach - recognising both the economic opportunities and the social dangers of gambling.”A deafening silenceDespite numerous attempts, local gambling or sports betting companies declined to comment on the rising concerns around youth addiction to their activities.What remains clear is that, in Namibia’s struggling economy, the glittering promise of fast money is ensnaring thousands in a dangerous cycle - one bet at a time.

Bet, lose, repeat

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-31

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Bet, lose, repeat

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-31

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