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The Makerere University Guild has signed an agreement with the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board to curb the increasing rate of underage gambling among students. This recent initiative will help both parties address critical issues plaguing the industry like problem gambling and financial security.
Underage Gambling is a Growing Concern
Over the past few years, there has been a rise in underage gambling. From a recent survey, Denis Mudene, the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board CEO, reported that 54% of gamblers fall below the age of 30, most of which are university students. This partnership will effectively prevent young people from participating and developing addictive patterns.
The outgoing president of Makerere University Guild, Vincent Lubega Nsamba, highlighted the risks of problem gambling when speaking on the collaboration. “The gambling vice has left many of our students dealing with mental health problems and putting many at risk of losing their property to money lenders. Problem gambling has led to so many students dropping out of school,” he said.
Measures to Help Tackle This Problem
A good way to handle underage gambling is through proper enlightenment of students. Denis Mudene mentioned that “Shared knowledge is the best tool to help students make informed choices about gambling. We commit to spreading the gospel truth about responsible gaming and supporting university initiatives.“
He continued by emphasizing that gambling must be banned for underage gamblers. “When we speak to people above 25, we tell them to play responsibly: set limits, walk away, or bet only what they can afford to lose. When we get to schools, our message is a firm no to gambling, and it is the same message we want to put forward in universities.”
Furthermore, Vincent Lubega Nsamba revealed that the University Guild will work effortlessly with the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board to educate students about responsible gambling. “We will give time to the Board to educate students on responsible gaming. We will also use our various social media platforms to educate students on responsible gaming,” he said.
Student leaders will be highly influential in shaping the behaviors of their peers. With adequate empowerment, they can influence colleagues to abstain or play responsibly if above the age limit. This strategic initiative will foster a culture of resilience and accountability.
Future Outlook for this Collaboration
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board has partnered with Makerere University Guild as part of its commitment to developing a safer environment for students to gamble responsibly. As the collaboration gains traction, it should hopefully put an end to addiction and its associated consequences among the underage population.
However, its broader vision is to merge public awareness, education, research, and counseling into this responsible gambling initiative. According to Sections 3 and 4 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, the program’s core objectives must involve protecting members of the public from the detrimental outcomes of gambling.
Source: Nilepost.co.ug
