Some punters in Dutse, Jigawa State, have called for a total ban on betting to protect them from losses and promote financial discipline among the youth.
They also decried the proliferation of betting centres in the area and advocated proactive measures to address the menace.
A cross-section of the punters made the call in separate interviews with reporters on Sunday in Dutse.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, a punter, attributed the rise in betting to ignorance and the desire for quick money.
Musa said he lost about N3 million to betting, adding that the practice has contributed to criminal behaviour among the youth.
He noted that a great number of punters are currently serving jail terms due to betting-related financial crimes.
Musa said it is imperative to ban betting to promote financial discipline and instil good morals among young people.
“I appeal to the state government and the Dutse Emirate Council to ban betting shops to protect the youths from stealing and other crimes,” he said.
Another punter, Ibrahim Mohammed, advised youth and women to be wary of betting due to its negative impact on their social and economic wellbeing.
“It is a destructive habit that leads to financial ruin and crimes,” he said.
Recounting his ordeal, Mohammed said he lost over N5 million to betting over the years, adding that the trend exposed him to financial crisis.
“Previously, I enjoyed financial stability and assisted about 30 youths with seed capital to set up their businesses. It is disheartening that I’m broke now as a result of my losses in betting,” he said.
Also, Ali Sabo said he had been betting for over 10 years and squandered more than N5 million within that period.
He noted that the lack of effective regulatory frameworks encouraged the growth of betting and exposed punters to financial difficulties.
“About five of my associates have developed mental health challenges caused by betting-related stress and losses,” he said.
Similarly, Sabo Haladu, a resident of Gujungu town in Taura Local Government Area, said betting is popular among idle youths in the area.
Haladu, a farm labourer, said he engaged in betting with the hope of improving his financial standing but suffered repeated losses.
He therefore called for a total ban on betting in the state.
