SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MARITAL INSTABILITY AND DIVORCE IN DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE.

Background of the Study Gambling is one of the biggest industries in the world Binde, (2017). It has thrived for many decades. It has played a role in the history of many nations Arnold, (2018). It is one of the revenue generating companies to many countries Skolnick, (2022). Gambling is not new to Nigeria. It has come a long way in the country. In its prime in Nigeria, it was synonymous with “cha-cha”, rolling of dice, roulette wheel, whot, pool betting, and few casino centers with slot machines popularly known as kalokalo. It was known to be played by middle-aged and elderly men. Pool betting was perceived as a game for failed men who use their little earnings to try their last chance in life (Reith, 2019). In recent times, the industry has taken a new dimension due to the adoption and penetration of the internet. With internet, people now have access to gambling companies operating online. This has help to deepened and widened the scope of gambling industry in Nigeria, thereby making many people, most especially the youths to see gambling as a source of wealth, substitute for real life or quick fix for poverty According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN, 2018) there are as much as six gambling or betting companies within a 10 kilometre radius in the inner city and outskirts of all major streets and state capitals in Nigeria. For instance, in dekina LGA one has since lost count of the brand names of these business outlets. Statistics from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS, 2017) Shows that gambling or betting companies top the list of new businesses in the state. Moreso, based on investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN, 2016) about 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 years spend up to N1.8 billion on gambling daily Gambling is not a profession, it is rooted in greed, laziness and desperation which comes with waves of excitement, anxiety and frustration (Randy, 2022). Studies have shown that many people who take to gambling as a means for survival or income, often developed into harmful addiction (Desai, 2018). Follow up studies have produced similar result and shows that negative consequences always accompany compulsive gamblers which include; drug and alcohol abuse, stealing to gamble, bad debts, entertaining suicidal thoughts, breed laziness, threatening/killing of parents for money, mood disorder to alleviate the feelings of guilt, shame and depression. However, gambling has been variously condemned by both individuals and organizations, Morgan, 2019 also submitted that it lead to laziness and is destructive to spiritual, emotional, mental and physical development of people and society. The Catholics have also condemned gambling on the grounds that it often tempts the poor into addiction which brings negative effects such as increase in drugs and alcohol abuse, loan sharking, prostitution, corruption and general public immorality. While the Muslims see gambling as haraam (sinful), and harmful to the spiritual, emotional and mental reasoning of the Muslims and punishment of offenders ranges from 12 lashes, to a one year prison term and a fine for those who provide venues for such practices (Pascal, 2020, as cited by Desai, 2021). Gambling addiction otherwise called pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder that gives the addict a strong urge to gamble in spite of its negative effects on the gambler and their loved ones. It was officially classified as a psychiatric disorder in 1980, and it is seen in the same category as drug and alcohol addiction Gambling has recorded immense improvement among other business enterprises in Nigeria. For instance, the data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) according to CBN (2019), there were 14 million web payments worth a total of N132 billion ($420 million); transactions leapt to 29 million worth N185 billion in 2017 and in the first quarter of 2018, there were nearly 10 million worth N61 billion. A leading report on gambling in Africa, published in 2016 by KPMG, showed some shocking numbers from the sports betting industry in Nigeria. As at 2016, Bet9ja accrued a worth of $10m for an average monthly turnover, while NairaBet made an average turnover of $3m-$5m, which indicated a 20-30% margin on profit (Adebayo, 2018). In addition, the report of a global study conducted by NewZoo in 2018 showed that Nigeria (with $180 million) was ranked second in Africa after Egypt (with $286 million) that took the first position in the revenue generated from sports gambling (Owoeye, 2018). Furthermore, the findings rated Nigeria 35th out of the 100 countries studied across the world; while China topped the 100 countries with $37.9bn revenue generation (Owoeye, 2018). These revenue figures were based only on consumer spending in each country. Gambling poses a significant challenge to the public health. Recent statistics showed that adolescents and young adults face highest risk of developing gambling problems. This is because of the increase in gambling centres, where the underage are daily being exposed to unregulated forms of gambling and are daily succumbing to the temptation and pressure to engage in the act. As in most game of chance, money is spent to get more money. For youth who rely on their parents for their daily bread, the money to bet has to be gotten from their parents under false pretext. If this fails, they look for other means of getting the money to satisfy their urge to gamble. At this point, gambling becomes an addiction. This is otherwise known as problem gambling, gambling disorder, or pathological gambling for the chronic aspect of it. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Recently, there has been a rapid increase in gambling among the youths of Nigeria. The Nigerian Boards has advised that all youths work hard in education instead of engaging in gambling in different designated places across the country. Most youths in colleges are susceptible to betting; they are made vulnerable because less restrictions are not imposed on their activities. A high school gambling fact sheet asserted that while the vast majority of youths will gamble on occasion and just for fun, others will gamble excessively and develop serious problems (Shaffer et al., 2015). According to Derevensky et al. (2020), youths are the riskiest demographic and highest risk age group because they think they are smarter than everyone else and invulnerable. A high school fact sheet in the USA stresses that approximately 45% of youths have a gambling problem and that 10-14% are at risk of developing an addiction. According to Mkwanda (2019), most Nigerians have begun to gamble a lot. A look at trading centers, towns and cities reveals that many people especially young people have taken to gambling as a hobby. In the absence of jobs and capital for business most youths have taken to gambling as a means to survival. 1.3 Research Questions What are the causes of gambling addiction among youths in Dekina Local Government Area? What are the implications of gambling addiction on the youth of Dekina Local Government Area? What possible regulations can be used to address the problem of gambling among youths of Dekina Local Government Area? 1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study To examine the causes of gambling addiction among youths in dekina local government area. To examine the implications of gambling addiction on the youth of dekina local government area. To suggest possible regulations that can be used to address the problem of gambling among youths of Dekina Local Government Area. 1.5 Significance of the Study The significance of this study cannot be overemphasized, as its findings would provide people with empirical data which can be used in decision making process concerning youth indulgence in gambling in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. The findings of the study will benefit government, sociologist, youth, and stakeholders by providing them with empirical data which can be useful in formulation of appropriate policy which can be used to curb gambling-related issues that might arise due to lack of awareness. Theoretically, this study will add to the body of knowledge on the subject matter and serve as foundational study to future researcher who intends to carry out research on this or similar topics. 1.6 Scope of the Study This research focuses on the evaluation of the impact of Gambling among youths in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Theoretically, the study intends to delve into the causes of gambling, the effects of gambling on youth and the ways of reducing the challenges associated with gambling among youths in Dekina. 1.8 Operational definition of terms Gambling Gambling (also known as betting or gaming) is the wagering of something of value ("the stakes") on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling thus requires three elements to be present: consideration (an amount wagered), risk (chance), and a prize.[1] The outcome of the wager is often immediate, such as a single roll of dice, a spin of a roulette wheel, or a horse crossing the finish line, but longer time frames are also common, allowing wagers on the outcome of a future sports contest or even an entire sports season. Youth Youth is the time of life when one is young. The word, youth, can also mean the time between childhood and adulthood (maturity), but it can also refer to one's peak, in terms of health or the period of life known as being a young adult. Youth is also defined as "the appearance, freshness, vigor, spirit, etc., characteristic of one, who is young". Its definitions of a specific age range varies, as youth is not defined chronologically as a stage that can be tied to specific age ranges; nor can its end point be linked to specific activities, such as taking unpaid work, or having sexual relations.