SURVEY ON THE PREVALENCE OF SPORTS BETTING AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background of the study

Gambling has been a prevalent activity in Nigeria for many decades. The operations of this entity exhibit a multitude of aspects, and their impact on the nation was pervasive, akin to a powerful storm. A significant portion of the population engaged in daily betting activities. Gambling encompasses a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from engaging in sports betting to participating in pool bidding. In recent times, sports betting has seen a surge in popularity, emerging as a very promising sector within the gambling industry. The primary focus of this operational activity is in the realm of international football betting, with particular emphasis on the renowned English Premier League. According to Koross (2016), the emergence of online sports betting organisations in Nigeria in the year 2000 marked a significant turning point in the popularity and prevalence of sports betting in the country. Sports are physical activities that individuals participate in to promote physical well-being via regular or intermittent activity, hence facilitating a state of good health. Akinlosotu, Imandojemu, and Aina (2019) assert that sports include social activities that have diverse significance for individuals. Similarly, Omobowale (2009) posits that sports primarily serve as sources of pleasure and relaxation, however their interpretation differs among cultures and individuals. The complexity, character, purpose, and essence of sport, meanwhile, have consistently shown variations over different historical periods and among many communities. In a similar vein, Sule and Adam (2018) observed that sports have a dual role in serving social and therapeutic functions within various social settings, including the dynamics of both male and female relationships within the domestic sphere. This demonstrates that sports, such as football, possess a wide range of attractions and serve several purposes and forms across various contexts (Akinlosotu et al., 2019).

In a broad context including both national and global perspectives, it can be argued that sports has the potential to foster growth when they are well implemented and comprehended. The advancement and maturation of individuals, as well as the advancement of societies, are fundamentally intertwined with social interactions, and sports contribute to this dynamic. Considering this perspective, it is crucial to analyse the ramifications of sports in relation to their many forms and their impact on human growth, particularly within emerging cultures. The effect of sport is expanding to include several dimensions, including technical, physical, social, economic, and psychological aspects, affecting individuals in Africa and beyond (Sule & Adam, 2018). The increasing prevalence of sports betting and gambling in Nigeria, along with the escalating involvement of young individuals across the nation, raises several inquiries about its nature as a kind of gambling, its legitimacy and legality, and its societal acceptance. The prevalence of sports betting and several other types of gambling is increasingly gaining traction throughout Africa, with Nigeria emerging as a notable focal point. Nigeria is now seeing a significant growth in the realm of sports betting and several other types of gambling. Various forms of gambling, such as lotteries, poker, sports betting, slot machines, casino games, and internet gambling, have been extensively studied (Muhammad & Adam, 2018). Numerous businesses and international entities are amassing substantial sums of Naira from Nigerian individuals who want expedient financial gains and thus engage in gambling activities.

Sports betting refers to the act of putting a monetary bet on the result of a sports event, including specific occurrences within the game itself. The proliferation of sports betting and the advertising of gambling during athletic events have emerged as a relatively contemporary occurrence. In the past, the act of sports betting was limited to individuals physically making wagers on the results of horse or greyhound races. However, two significant developments took place in the mid-1990s. Initially, several bookmakers expanded their operations outside the realm of horse and greyhound racing by offering wagering opportunities on the outcomes of team sports. Furthermore, it is worth noting that in the state of Victoria, certain bookmakers initiated the practise of accepting wagers via telephone and subsequently through the internet. Subsequently, in 2008, the opportunity to engage in sports betting via telephone and the internet was made available in all Australian states and territories. This development came about as a result of a ruling by the High Court, which determined that the restrictions imposed by certain states were deemed to be anticompe

Sports betting is a kind of gambling in which people get profits by accurately predicting the results of different sporting events within a competitive framework, such as a tournament or league (Bankole, 2019). Football betting has gained significant popularity in many nations, emerging as a prominent platform for the exchange of resources within the capitalist framework. This phenomenon occurs when fans extend their "fandom" by engaging in an expressive economy that involves both benefits and drawbacks within the framework of Marxian survival of the fittest in the context of controlled capitalist environments.

The phenomenon of football betting games has undergone a significant transformation in Nigeria and several other countries. In Nigeria, the prevalent activities that engage the youth population encompass various betting platforms such as Naira Bet, Bet 9ja, Sure Bet, Winners Golden Bet, 1960 Bet, Merry Bet, Bet Colony, Stakers Den, Star Bet, Tripple Bet. Additionally, foreign betting games like Bet 360, Bet 365, 1x Bet, 24H Bet, 368 Bet, Apollo Bet, and Bet-at-Home are also popular among Nigerian youths. In general, the aforementioned betting organisations provide a publicly accessible platform that allows individuals to make predictions about the result of various sporting events, including as football, basketball, car racing, hockey, dog racing, and virtual competitions, among others. Individuals who accurately forecast outcomes are provided with incentives, while those whose forecasts prove to be incorrect experience financial losses. The phenomenon described in Nigeria is more prevalent, as those who consider themselves to be true fans of football are taking further measures to demonstrate their greater degree of enthusiasm and competence (Bankole, 2019).

The current influence of gambling on Nigerian adolescents has become a cause for concern due to its detrimental effects on their mathematical academic performance. It is essential to note that there is a significant rise in the population of young individuals, particularly students, frequenting betting establishments on a regular basis. They spend a considerable amount of time engaging in conversations and closely observing the progress of the matches. Considerable energy is devoted to deliberating about matches and other recreational pursuits, which might have been allocated towards academic endeavours. Another noteworthy element is that individuals allocate the limited funds intended for purchasing books towards gambling activities. These factors have ramifications for the academic achievement of individuals and have a direct influence on the state's economy. This worrisome trend has prompted the researcher in this study to survey on the prevalence of sports betting among senior secondary school students in South-East, Nigeria.

1. 1. Statement of the problem

The prevalence of sports betting is increasing or decreasing in small towns and villages throughout the nation. In contemporary Nigeria, individuals of varying social standings are availing themselves of online and mobile sports betting services, which are readily accessible across the nation. According to Oyetunji-Alemede, Ogunbiyi, and Omole (2019), this sort of entertainment is made available to consumers via many channels, including betting shops, mobile phones, and internet platforms such as television and radio, mostly for promotional reasons. The growing involvement of adolescents in the practise of sports betting is becoming a matter of concern. This phenomenon leads to a significant number of students forsaking a considerable amount of time to engage in gambling activities and spectate sports events for the purpose of placing bets. The activities have caused a sharp decline in academic, performance among secondary schools in the South Eastern part of Nigeria, and hence, the need for this research.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to survey on the prevalence of sports betting among senior secondary school students in south-east, Nigeria. The specific objectives is as follows

1. Examine the reasons why secondary school students in south-east engage in sports betting.

2. Ascertain the prevalence of sports betting among senior secondary school students in south-east, Nigeria.

3. Find out the impact of sport betting on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in south-east, Nigeria.

1.4 Research questions

The following have been prepared to further guide the study

1. What are the reasons why secondary school students in south-east engage in sports betting?

2. What is the prevalence of sports betting among senior secondary school students in south-east, Nigeria?

3. What are the impact of sport betting on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in south-east, Nigeria?

1.5 Significance of the study

The findings of the study will be significant to parents and school authority as it will reveal the extent sport betting has affected the academic performance of students in the sense that addiction to sport betting has made some students drop out of school because they have used their school fees to place betting.

The findings of the study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focuses on the prevalence of sports betting among senior secondary school students in south-east, Nigeria. Hence, the study will examine the reasons why secondary school students in south-east engage in sports betting, ascertain the prevalence of sports betting among senior secondary school students in south-east, Nigeria and find out the impact of sport betting on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in south-east, Nigeria. Therefore, the study is delimited to selected secondary schols in Umuahia.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8 Definition of terms

Sport betting: the activity of predicting sports results and placing a wager on the outcome.