Responsible gaming might be the key for Ghana's journey against addiction in casinos

The rise of sports betting and casino gambling across Ghana has introduced numerous challenges related to responsible gaming.

As mobile device usage and internet access have spread in recent years, gambling has become more accessible, especially to young people, leading to significant social and financial harm.

Despite the rapid development of the gambling industry in Ghana, the country still lacks comprehensive responsible gaming measures to safeguard its most vulnerable citizens.

The rise of gambling in Ghana mirrors the broader trends seen across sub-Saharan Africa, where mobile internet users grew by 71% between 2017 and 2022.

Famous betting companies have capitalized on this growth, offering both online and brick-and-mortar betting opportunities, often marketed aggressively through local celebrities and football sponsorships.

However, with this rapid expansion comes a troubling consequence: many young Ghanaians are falling into gambling addiction.

Research indicates that one in five individuals aged 16-25 are deemed problem gamblers, experiencing financial losses, relationship neglect, and worsening mental health.

Yet, there remains a glaring lack of responsible gaming infrastructure to address these issues in Ghana and many African countries.

Responsible gaming refers to policies and practices that protect gamblers from the risks associated with gambling, ensuring they enjoy betting activities in a safe zone.

However, there's a possibility that in Ghana, as in many other African nations, the gambling market has expanded faster than the development of responsible gaming frameworks.

The absence of these measures leaves players vulnerable to the harms of addiction, which can have lifelong repercussions.

For example, the Brazilian gambling market is evolving with Brazil's first steps towards legalization, setting to open licensed casinos by 2025, and establishing the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) in 2023 following the legalization of sports betting.

It was an initiative from big Brazilian operators to ensure players wouldn’t suffer from gambling problems and addictions they’ve seen in other scenarios.

According to KTO, which is one of the founders of IBJR and a big online casino in Brazil, in countries where responsible gaming features are more robust, such as deposit limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion options, only 1-3% of players have some risk to develop gambling problems, and 0.7% are considered high-risk gamblers.

Although sports betting is deeply ingrained in Ghanaian culture, as the adage goes, "It's easy to bet, but hard to win".

Many young Ghanaians find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt and despair as they continue to gamble despite losing money.

The lack of mental health services and addiction support further exacerbates the problem, as there are few places for individuals to turn when gambling starts to negatively impact their lives.

The consequences are clear: while the gambling industry profits, the youth of Ghana are suffering.

Multinational betting companies often take their profits out of Africa, offering poor value odds to local players, further compounding the problem.

This predatory marketing highlights the urgent need for government intervention and responsible gaming features that prioritize the well-being of citizens over corporate profits.

The Ghanaian government might need to establish clear regulations for the gambling industry, incorporating responsible gaming measures such as public awareness campaigns in collaboration with gambling operators to educate the public on the risks of addiction and promote responsible play, while offering guidance on where to seek help for problem gambling.

Additionally, expanding access to mental health services is essential, with a focus on training healthcare professionals to address gambling addiction through therapies and offering online support.

Independent regulatory bodies should oversee compliance, and the government can introduce a tax system for gambling operators, using the revenue to fund mental health services, addiction treatment, and youth employment initiatives to support those most affected by gambling.

As gambling continues to grow in popularity, so too do the risks associated with it, particularly for the youth.

By implementing a robust regulatory framework, raising awareness about the dangers of gambling addiction, and improving access to mental health services, Ghana could mitigate the negative impacts of gambling while still allowing its citizens to enjoy betting responsibly.