WORK is everything in life as it provides respect, financial stability and the means to make hands meet every day. More importantly, work is essential for both individuals and national development.

Work allows people to address challenges, seize opportunities and achieve their targeted life goals.

A society cannot thrive without work. Regardless of gender, every individual must engage in meaningful labour or any income generating activity to secure their livelihoods and celebrate progress. 

However, in Africa particularly Tanzania, the approach to work among youth and some adults has taken a troubling turn.

Prioritizing work over betting to earn money is crucial for youth for several reasons, including financial stability since betting is risky and unreliable as a source of income. The odds are often stacked against participants, leading to potential losses rather than gains.

Young people who rely on betting may end up in debt, creating financial strain, thus impacting their future. When youth have a stable job, it offers them a steady income, enabling savings and investments for long-term financial security.

Employment fosters development of practical skills, knowledge, and expertise that can enhance career prospects. Engaging in work provides valuable experience for young people and could more likely open doors to better opportunities.

Youth are increasingly drawn to gambling, seduced by the promise of instant riches. Gambling has become the ‘talk of the town’ dominating urban and rural spaces alike. 

Advertisements related to gambling have gone viral across television, radio, newspapers and online platforms. All these adverts promote betting as an easy way to wealth. The allure? Spend as little as 1,000 Tanzanian shillings and ‘wake up richer’.

This narrative misleads young people into believing that gambling is a viable alternative to hard work. As a result, many rely on betting, neglecting the fact that real wealth is earned through employment, business, or other legitimate means.

The harsh reality

The truth remains: wealth cannot be achieved through shortcuts; one must work hard to achieve his/her targeted life goals. Most gamblers lose more than they gain because gambling is risky.  However, betting companies profit immensely. 

For example, if one million young people each bet 1,000/-, the companies earn a billion shillings daily. A small fraction may be redistributed among winners, but the majority remains with the companies.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the youth workforce in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow to 72.6 million by 2050. This should be a demographic advantage, enabling Africa to transform into a global economic leader. However, the rising obsession with gambling threatens this potential.

Gambling addiction

Gambling is not just a personal financial drain; it has societal repercussions. It breeds idleness and fosters a generation unwilling to engage in meaningful work. 

This mentality contributes to urban chaos, crime, and the decline of small businesses. Shops are going bankrupt as shopkeepers divert money into betting, while addicted university students misuse their allowances. Even pensioners are not immune.

The addiction also fuels Africa’s migration crisis. Young people, desperate for better opportunities, risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea in search of wealth abroad.

African nations must urgently address this issue. Governments, media, and communities need to prioritize the truth: betting is not a path to wealth but a gamble that leaves most people poorer. 

Media outlets should shift their focus from promoting gambling to encouraging hard work, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

Moreover, regulations should limit the overwhelming presence of betting advertisements. Airtime currently dedicated to gambling could be better utilized for educational campaigns on climate change, disease prevention, and economic empowerment.

Gambling is a trap that preys on the dreams of Africa’s youth. The promise of easy money is a false hope that often leads to poverty and despair. 

It is time to reframe the narrative: work is the foundation of personal and societal progress. Only through hard work, innovation, and resilience can Africa’s youth build a prosperous future for themselves and their continent.