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Some residents of Dutse have called for a total ban on betting activities in Jigawa State, citing growing financial losses, rising criminal activities and increasing social problems among youths.
The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, expressed concern over the rapid spread of betting centres across the state and urged authorities to take decisive action to curb the trend.
One of the residents, Ibrahim Musa, blamed the increasing popularity of betting on ignorance and the desperation for quick wealth among young people.
Musa revealed that he personally lost about N3 million to betting, adding that the practice had pushed many youths into criminal activities and financial crimes.
According to him, several punters are currently serving jail terms over offences linked to betting-related debts and fraudulent activities.
“It is necessary to ban betting in order to promote financial discipline and instil good morals among the youths,” he said.
He appealed to the state government and the Dutse Emirate Council to shut down betting centres to protect young people from stealing and other social vices.
Another resident, Ibrahim Mohammed, warned youths and women against becoming involved in betting, describing it as a destructive habit capable of ruining lives financially and socially.
Mohammed recounted how he lost over N5 million through betting, a development he said plunged him into severe financial hardship.
“Previously, I was financially stable and even supported about 30 youths with startup capital for their businesses, but today I’m broke because of betting,” he lamented.
Similarly, Ali Sabo disclosed that he had spent more than 10 years engaging in betting and squandered over N5 million during the period.
He argued that weak regulation of betting activities had contributed to its rapid growth and exposed many punters to economic hardship and emotional distress.
Sabo further claimed that at least five of his associates developed mental health challenges due to stress and losses associated with betting.
Also speaking, Sabo Haladu from Taura Local Government Area said betting had become widespread among idle youths in Gujungu town.
Haladu, who works as a farm labourer, said he ventured into betting in hopes of improving his financial condition but instead suffered repeated losses.
The residents collectively called on the government to introduce stricter regulations or impose a complete ban on betting activities across the state.
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