The Rise of Online and Sports Betting in Ghana

Observations, Driving Factors, and Societal Implications

Authors

  • Sewordor Toklo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/cgs201

References

Acheampong, E. Y., Sarpong, E. O., & Mahamah, M. (2022). Understanding sports betting among young male student-teachers in Ghana. Journal of Gambling Issues, 49, 174–200. https://doi.org/10.4309/jgi.2022.49.8

Agbenorsi, J. (2023, November 28). NDC outlines pillars for Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy. Graphic Online. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-ndc-outlines-pillars-for-mahamas-24-hour-economy-policy.html

Akaho-Tay, S. S. (2023, August 11). I don’t believe in sports betting; I believe in hard work—Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu on 10% tax on bet wins. Modern Ghana. https://www.modernghana.com/news/1251097/i-dont-believe-in-sports-betting-i-believe-in.html

Amoah-Nuamah, J., Agyemang-Duah, W., Mensah, B., & Opoku, B. (2023). University students’ reasons and attitudes towards online gambling and its implication on their lives. Journal of Gambling Studies, 39(1), 203–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10143-5

Amutabi, M. N. (2018). Gambling addiction and threat to development in Kenya: Assessing the risks and problems of gamblers in changing society. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 2(2), 121–133. https://cedred.org/jais/images/journal_articles/3/PDF_-_Maurice_Amutabi_-_Gambling_Addiction_and_Threat_to_Development_in_Kenya.pdf

Appiah, S. (2023a, August 16). Don’t tax sports betting, ban it – Ato Forson to government. Adom Online. https://www.adomonline.com/dont-tax-sports-betting-ban-it-ato-forson-to-government

Appiah, S. E. A. (2023b, October 25). I’ll ban sports betting encourages laziness; I will ban it if I am voted as president – Hassan Ayariga. Modern Ghana. https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1268362/ill-ban-sports-betting-encourages-laziness-i.html

Ayagama, E. (2023, August 16). Tax on bet winnings should’ve been more than 10% – Kennedy Agyapong. Pulse. https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/other-sports/kennedy-agyapong-tax-on-bet-winnings-shouldve-been-more-than-10/270rwv5

Boakye, E. A. (2022, May 23). ‘We’re dying of hunger; pay our 7-months arrears’ – NABCO trainees to gov’t. CitiNewsroom. https://citinewsroom.com/2022/05/were-dying-of-hunger-pay-our-7-months-arrears-nabco-trainees-to-govt

Breen, M. (2021, June 1). How policy reform can solve Australia's gambling problem. In the Black. https://intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au/ethics-and-governance/how-policy-reform-solve-gambling-australia

Brewer, C., & Golden, J. (2024, March 27). Largest U.S. sportsbooks join forces to tackle problem gambling. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/27/largest-us-sportsbooks-join-forces-to-tackle-problem-gambling.html

Davis, G. (2018, March 12). Does Australia have a gambling problem? [Podcast episode]. The Policy Shop. https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/podcasts/does-australia-have-a-gambling-problem

Dogbevi, E. K. (2022, November 23). Hooked: Sports betting addiction in Ghana youth. Ghana Business News. https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2022/11/23/hooked-sports-betting-addiction-in-ghana-youth

Frimpong, E. D. (2022, April 20). Deferred KNUST students used school fees for sports betting – URO. Graphic Online. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/deferred-knust-students-used-school-fees-for-sports-betting-uro.html

Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC). (n.d.). GPCC and government of Ghana launch skills training program in churches. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://gpccghana.org/case/gpcc-and-government-of-ghana-launch-skills-training-program-in-churches

The Ghana Report. (2023, April 13). Female students turn to sports betting amid economic hardship – UPSA SRC President. https://www.theghanareport.com/female-students-turn-to-sports-betting-amid-economic-hardship-upsa-src-president

Glozah, F., Bunn, C., Sichali, J. M., Salifu Yendork, J., Mtema, O., & Udedi, M. (2023). Young people and gambling in sub-Saharan Africa: Towards a critical research agenda. Journal of the British Academy, 11(s3), 153–172. https://doi.org/10.5871/jba/011s3.153

Gumisiriza, P. (2019). Neoliberal policies and impact on developing countries. In Farazmand, A. (Ed.), Global encyclopedia of public administration, public policy, and governance. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_3782-1

Jumio. (2024). Regulatory trends around the globe. In Online gambling regulations and trends in 2024. Jumio. https://www.jumio.com/gaming-report/regulatory-trends-around-the-globe

Keane, H. (2019, August 25). Rethinking stigma and gambling. Critical Gambling Studies Blog. https://doi.org/10.29173/cgs13

Konings, P. (2011). The politics of neoliberal reforms in Africa: State and civil society in Cameroon. Langaa & African Studies Centre.

Mustapha, F. (2024, April 30). Muslim women in teaching hold 2nd graduation and fundraising. Modern Ghana. https://www.modernghana.com/news/1309140/muslim-women-in-teaching-hold-2nd-graduation-and.html

MyjoyOnline. (2024, February 7). Bawumia announces youth policies centred on technology and vocational training for jobs. MyjoyOnline. https://www.myjoyonline.com/bawumia-announces-youth-policies-centred-on-technology-and-vocational-training-for-jobs

Noble, N., Freund, M., Hill, D., White, V., Leigh, L., Lambkin, D., Scully, M., & Sanson-Fisher, R. (2022). Exposure to gambling promotions and gambling behaviours in Australian secondary school students. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 16, 100439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100439

Nyabor, J. (2023, September 20). Ghana: Betting tax stirs public anger, experts’ doubts over economic impact. The Africa Report. https://www.theafricareport.com/322554/ghana-betting-tax-stirs-public-anger-experts-doubts-over-economic-impact

Ritchie, J. (2020, February 27). Ghana #4: Presbyterian lay training center in Tamale and journey to upper presbytery. The Outreach Foundation. https://www.theoutreachfoundation.org/trip-blog/2020/2/27/ghana-4-presbyterian-lay-training-center-in-tamale-and-journey-to-upper-presbytery

Schwartz, D. G. (2006). Roll the bones: The history of gambling. Gotham

Sichali, J. M., Bunn, C., McGee, D., Marionneau, V. K., Yendork, J. S., Glozah, F., Udedi, M., & Reith, G. (2023). Regulation of gambling in Sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from a comparative policy analysis. Public Health, 214, 140–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2022.07.018

Ssewanyana, D., & Bitanihirwe, B. (2018). Problem gambling among young people in sub-Saharan Africa. Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 23. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00023

Statista. (2021). Participation in gambling among the youth in Africa as of 2021, by selected country. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1305048/gambling-among-the-youth-in-africa-by-country

Statista. (2024). Online sports betting – Ghana. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/online-gambling/online-sports-betting/ghana

TGM Research. (2022). TGM gambling and sports betting survey in Ghana. https://tgmresearch.com/gambling-sports-betting-market-research-in-ghana.html

Vaillancourt, F., & Ossa, R. (2011, May). The taxation of gambling in Africa. International Studies Program Working Paper 11-10. Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.

Wangari, N. (2017, March 31). Mobile gambling among youth in sub-Saharan Africa. GeoPoll. https://www.geopoll.com/blog/mobile-gambling-among-youth-in-sub-saharan-africa

Waterson, J. (2023, June 15). The Guardian bans all gambling advertising. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jun/15/guardian-bans-all-gambling-advertising

World Bank. (2020, September 29). Addressing youth unemployment in Ghana needs urgent action, calls new World Bank report [Press Release No: 2021/045/AFR]. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/09/29/addressing-youth-unemployment-in-ghana-needs-urgent-action

Yaro, J. A. (2013). Neoliberal globalisation and evolving local traditional institutions: Implications for access to resources in rural northern Ghana. Review of African Political Economy, 40(137), 410–427. https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2013.816945

Yeroo Group. (2021, June 9). Ghana billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2024 from https://www.yeroo.com/index.php/article/211/16.html

Downloads

Published

2024-10-05

How to Cite

Toklo, S. (2024). The Rise of Online and Sports Betting in Ghana: Observations, Driving Factors, and Societal Implications. Critical Gambling Studies, 5(1), 65–75. https://doi.org/10.29173/cgs201