I say no to gambling

Gambling is a silent destroyer. Addiction to it has done more harm to a lot of people than any good. Once one begins, the hope of winning won't let a loser to stop. Even a winner will believe that he can still win more, and as such, he will only be increasing the amount he is putting into gambling. Before realizing what was happening, he would have emptied his resources into betting.

I had an experience in gambling when I was in secondary school. It shaped my belief and conviction in how bad gambling is.

I was returning from school on a fateful day when I met people gathered close to my house. I went closer to find out what was happening. I realized that a man had come with some material like packs of biscuits, a wall clock, a pressing iron, electric stoves, and many more of such. The things were carefully arranged in a wheelbarrow. With him are some cards that people purchase. After purchasing the card, you will select a point among numerous sealed points in the card. Once the point is unveiled, whatever is there is what you win.

I quickly bought the card for 20 naira. After unsealing a point of my choice on the card, I won a pack of biscuits. The man opted to buy the biscuit from me for 100 naira. I agreed immediately. I made a profit of 80 naira just like that. People around were amazed. Many people had tried before me without winning anything.

Out of my desire to win something bigger, I purchased another more valuable card for 50 naira. Upon opening the card, I won nothing. I tried again with another 50 naira and won nothing. I quickly rushed home to pick up 200 naira that I had at home. I gambled with the money without winning anything.

I went back home empty and disappointed. My lunch money for the week is gone. It was that day that I vowed never to have anything to do with gambling or betting again.

A few years later I started watching football matches. I have a favorite club that I support. Despite having fellow football lovers betting on their teams to win, I never gave it a thought. I have still not had any reason to envy those that bet. It's an act that always ends in regret. One may win sometimes, but the possibility of losing money is far greater than that of winning. It's not something good to be addicted to.

Will I call for its ban by the government? My answer is yes. However, it will be difficult for the government to do that. The reason is that gambling is not a crime in so much as a loser doesn't constitute a nuisance after losing. Or someone having steal to fund his gambling adventure.

Everyone has the freedom of doing whatever he likes with his money for as long as it doesn't constitute a security threat to others. I can only join people in sensitizing gamblers that the end product is always not worth it.