Maseru, Mar. 12 — People in Lesotho, including low-income workers and the unemployed, are turning to gambling to make quick money, leaving some in debt and struggling financially.
Mr. Poloko Monyane (25) said that earning a small income makes his life challenging, as he has to pay rent, buy food and support his parents.
He noted that hoping to stretch his earnings, he turned to gambling but admits it has been painful and disappointing.
“I gamble because my money is so little and I want to increase it. But gambling gives me high hopes of winning, and most of the time I end up losing. There have been times when I spent a lot of money leaving nothing for food or to send to my parents which caused tension at home,” he emphasised.
Mr. Monyane admitted that while gambling can feel exciting, its consequences are harsh.
He added that the idea that gambling makes people rich is false and he is warning people. He confessed that he is addicted and unsure how to stop. He cautions others against starting, explaining that people often begin with small bets M1, then M5, then M20 until eventually they are gambling hundreds at a time.
In addition, Mr. Thapelo Mokone (45) said he is now single because his wife left him due to his gambling habit. He explained that he used to gamble almost all the money he earned, leaving his wife and children without food and unable to pay the children’s school fees.
Mr. Mokone said the situation forced his family to borrow money from money lenders just to survive each month. He admitted that gambling destroyed his family and caused deep pain in his life.
Although he says he does not truly want to continue gambling, he finds himself still doing it. He noted that he lives with regret, especially when he remembers how much he loved his wife and how his actions led to the breakdown of his family.
The rise of gambling among Basotho highlights the need for stronger awareness and support systems to help people understand its risks.
Financial education, responsible gambling campaigns, and access to counselling services could help those struggling with addiction and prevent others from falling into the same trap.
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