University students spent Sh1.2 million weekly on gambling activities

By Peter Ochieng 

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) students and staff in Bondo, Siaya county, spent millions of shillings on gambling every year, a new study reveals.

The activities include online betting on football matches, aviator, wheel spinning, cards and pool.

Results of the Gambling Effects among vulnerable groups in Public Universities (GEPU) reveal that students and staff at JOOUST spent Sh1.2 million on gambling activities every week, Sh4.8 million monthly and about Sh60 million every year.

A total of 385 students and 21 members of staff were sampled in the study conducted between February and July, 2024, sponsored by the Bristol University Hub for gambling harms research.

On average, students and staff win bets amounting to Sh3.5 million each week. On the flipside, they lose bets amounting to Sh3.7 million each week.

According to the findings, 69 percent of male students engage in betting, compared to 30 percent of their female counterparts. On the other hand, 95 percent of male staff members engage in the activities, compared to 5 percent of their female counterparts.

61 percent of students and staff who profess the Christian faith were found to be more prone to gambling, compared to 9.5 percent of their Muslim counterparts.

28 percent of those sampled professed no religious attachments.

Speaking during the release of the findings, Vice Chancellor (VC) Emily Akuno said they provide an opportunity for them to right the wrongs caused by the gambling craze in the institution.

“When I first read the report, I immediately understood why there are long queues at registrar’s offices of students asking for more time to pay their school fees, I understood why we have a rise in cases of students missing classes or having problems with their accommodations," said Prof Akuno.

“From the report it is clear that the students gamble using HELB loans or pocket money from parents, some even steal the money or sell their belongings to gamble while our staff take loans to engage in the vice,” she added.

Findings proposed upscaling of the research to other public universities in the country, with the aim of unearthing harmful effects of gambling at institutions of higher learning.