Unemployment drives Batswana into gambling

The report from the Gambling Authority on the prevalence of excessive and problem gambling in Botswana has disclosed that the majority of gamblers are unemployed who turn to gambling for survival.

“Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the prevalence and nature of problem gambling. Factors such as education level, income stability, and employment status can influence gambling behaviours and the likelihood of developing problems. Additionally, the data indicate that individuals who are unemployed and retirees exhibit a higher likelihood of being affected by problem gambling compared to those who are currently employed. About 36.3% of retirees were found to have a gambling problem as compared to 20.8% of individuals who were unemployed and 18.5% of those who were employed,” reads the report.