Global Advanced Research Journal of Social Science (GARJSS)
September 2016, Vol. 5(1) pp. 020-026,
Copyright © 2016 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Social-Economic Impact of Sports Betting on Ugandan Youths

Ayub Kutosi Masaba¹, Johnson Sekakubo², Alexander Blaszczynski³ and Wakabala F Kuka⁴

¹Department of Procurement, Faculty of Computing and Management Science, Makerere University Business School, Kampala Uganda.
²Department of Management Science, Faculty of Computing and Management Science, Makerere University Business School, Kampala Uganda.
³School of Psychology, the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁴Faculty of Business Administration, Uganda Christian University, Mukono.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: kimayoka@gmail.com; Tel: +256703594805

Accepted 15 August, 2016

Abstract

Sports betting activities, particularly among youth, is increasing rapidly in Ugandan. The aim of this study was to determine the motivation for sports betting among Ugandan youth, and the social economic impact of this form of gambling. In a cross sectional quantitative research design, a questionnaire data was obtained from a sample of 181 youth attending betting houses in the Mbale district.  Results indicated that that most youths were motivated by the desire to win money. Findings also revealed that Ugandan youth socially and economically benefited from sports betting. The study concludes by recommending that even if findings do not show the negative impacts of gambling on youth, there is need for stricter laws to avert any future negative implications.

Keywords: Youth, Gambling, Sports Betting, Social and Economic.