After
more than two years, gambling is finally back in The Gambia as casinos,
lotteries and betting centres have resumed operations in full force and are
usually jam-packed with people trying their luck.
The
government of former president Yahya Jammeh in March 2015 spontaneously banned
all forms of gambling in The Gambia.
Operators of casinos, lotteries and other gambling centres were suddenly
ordered to cease operation without any prior notice.
The
ban caught almost everyone off-guard, especially the betters who were mostly
students. The lotteries, casinos, and
other sports betting centres all complied and all of a sudden, hundreds of
people who were employed at these centres lost their jobs.
As
part of its efforts to undo some of the rash executive directives of Mr Jammeh,
the new government has withdrawn the ban order and called on gambling centres
to resume operation.
Gambling
centres along the Westfield-Brikama Highway and elsewhere in the country have
all resumed operations in full force and with renewed impetus.
Mr
Bwinner. the owner of Bwinner’s Betting, said the Jammeh administration made a
wrong judgment by banning gambling, saying that gambling centres are also
business ventures and they pay all their required taxes at the Gambia Revenue
Authority and the Kanifing Municipal Council.
According
to him, sports betting is not gambling, “it is just a game which people who
have passion for sports play”.
Asked
about the negative impacts of betting on the youth, especially those going to
school, Bwinner said his company strictly adheres to the regulation of not
allowing anyone below the age of 18 and those in school uniform to enter the
premises.
Muhammed
Njie, a security guard at Kai Win Betting Centre, formerly called Win Len, said
it was a good idea to ban gambling because it had gone out of control at that
time.
“Students
used to use their fares or even school fees on games especially soccer
betting. They will leave their houses,
put their uniforms in their bags and come to betting houses where they will
spend the whole day,” he said. “That is why I believe it was good that Jammeh
ban it.”
However,
Mr Njie said it was not a bad idea that the Barrow administration lifted the
ban because the resumption of gambling centres would create employment for many
people most of whom would have been out of job without the gambling centres.
The
security officer said since he started his career as a private security
officer, the highest salary he ever received is being paid by the gambling
company he works for presently.
A
30-year-old Ousman Samba, a one time winner, said lifting the ban was a great
move.
“The
time I won, I just bought a ticket for D25 and won D3,700,” he said,
adding: “I put that money to good use,
so that is why I said lifting the ban on gambling is a good move so that many
people can win and utilise the money.”
Mr
Samba stressed that the revival of betting would keep the youth busy as a
result, they would not be engaged in illicit activities.
Since
part of the argument for banning gambling in the country was because it is
frowned upon by the two the major religions practiced, Islam and Christianity,
The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, and The Gambia Christian Council were
approached for comment on the resumption of gambling.
The
President of the Islamic council, Momodou Lamin Touray, said the council has no
official information as to the resumption of gambling, as a result, they cannot
comment on it.
At
the time of publication, the Christian Council could not be reached for
comment.
