Researchers based at the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit (Meiru), conducted studies on gambling in Malawi, and said that there are many people in Malawi addicted to gambling only that actual statistics are not available.
Senior researcher at Meiru, Chris Bunn, said their study in the country has documented how harmful gambling has led to financial loss and in some cases, loss of life.
“ Alarmingly, we have captured how some gamblers face concerning mental health challenges, which in some instances have led to suicide” said Bunn.
Saint John of God Hospitaller Services coordinator for addiction recovery services Tabitha Dzoole said the problem of gambling addiction is big, but only a few people report to the hospital for support.
She added that others do not turn up because either they are not aware of the available support or they do not have money to finance treatment.
Junious Sichali, a social scientist based at Meiru, said people in the country are attracted to gambling due high poverty levels, fewer employment opportunities and desire for a better life.
“There is also widespread availability of gambling outlets. In almost every corner of the country, there is gambling outlet which makes it easier for people to access gambling and to bet” said Sichali.
Data shows that in the country, suicide and marriage breakdowns have been some of the recorded effects of gambling.
Last month, police in Zomba said a woman pulled her husband Valentine Nazombe’s private parts, leading to his death during a fight that broke out due to the woman’s alleged insatiable appetite for gambling.
Magla chief executive officer Rachel Mijiga said the authority has since January 2023 embarked on an awareness drive to reach out to communities in the remote corners of Malawi to provide information on how they can report excessive gambling.
Mijiga encourages relations of people struggling with addiction to contact the authority as it has partnered with Saint John of God Hospitaller Services to take in those addicted for treatment and the authority bears the cost of treatment addiction programme.
She added that during the past calendar year, only one person reached out and was treated.
The gaming and Lotteries Act (2022) and recent draft regulations found on Magla website contain some measures such as limitations on where gambling premises can be established and fines of up to K10 million or imprisonment for providing sports betting products to minors but these are not enforced.
