Addiction to Gambling: The Ruin

Praise be to Allah (SWT) and peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

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O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful. [Al Maida, 5:90]

The story of this habitual gambler, addicted to lotteries, who has been thrown out of his home by his wife and children; that of the other one who has placed a bet and lost his lorry at the casino; that teacher who has bet his newly-built home to settle his gambling debts or this other woman who has complained that her husband has lost Rs 1 million in one week are unfortunately genuine cases that we have heard in the field.

Mize pou amize, X change votre vie, zoué lizié fermé are but misleading, alluring and deceptive publicity slogans by the promoters of gambling activities to entice gamblers. However, the reality is completely different: gambling activities can make the life of the gambler a living hell. Sociologists keep warning about the fact that gambling leads to abject misery.

How can it be otherwise? Allah (SWT) reminds us in His Book:

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Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain? [Al Maida, 5:91]

Despite the numerous appeals made by social workers, we are on our way to become a nation of gamblers, whether political leaders like it or not. Statistics don’t lie: more than 45% of Mauritians were gamblers in 2015, with an average of Rs100 bet per week, and an average of Rs75 per week for the Loto. According to a service provider, an average of 65% of the adult population (around 600,000) of more than 18 years of age play the Loto, with the primary market aged between 25 and 50 years old.

The number of casinos, gaming houses, lottery and gambling activities sale outlets keep on increasing. Despite the commitment of the government in 2015 to deny new gambling permits, 300 such permits have been granted in 3 years for football betting and foreign horse racing. Moreover, Satan keeps on widening his arsenal to lead gamblers to the gallows: lotteries, Loto, pools, roulette, slot machines, online betting, SMS betting, electronic lotteries (white lotteries), games of darts… Satan keeps on laying his trap.

Gambling is a cancer that is gradually eroding society. Why do people gamble? For the thrill, to imitate others, to pass time… But also, to earn money to settle debts. On the one hand, the gambler who wins for the first time is only tempted to try again, believing in his luck. On the other hand, the one who loses a first time will play again in the hope of recouping his losses. Both are thus driven to a spiral which makes them addicts to gambling.

Sociologists keep on saying: addiction leads to isolation, lies, debt, robbery and even prostitution. According to a study by Moriscopie on behalf of APEA, 60% of people are in debt because of gambling.

Gambling has an impact on family life. Any discussion on money in the family leads to violent reactions from the gambler, leading him to lie, especially about his gambling losses. He gradually distances himself from the family, his sole focus being gambling. He loses appetite, sleep, and has recourse to sleeping pills. Gambling can also cause a couple’s separation, divorce and even prostitution. In the end, nothing works anymore: it’s abject misery. It should be noted that when the habitual gambler is drowning, he pulls his family, friends and society down with him.

In the face of this state of things, political leaders should shoulder their responsibilities. Despite banning publicity on games, scratch cards as well as new permits, the reality is completely different. Publicities have been converted into press communiques taking full pages in newspapers as well as occupying spaces on radio and TV. The special place that horse racing holds in the electoral program of the current government says a lot about where its interests lie. The state earns more than Rs 2 billion per year through gambling activities.

Gambling cuts across age, community and social class. Everyone is at risk. Online betting is another trap that is rapidly gaining in popularity. The availability of bank cards to 15–17-year-olds will make it harder for parents to know if the minor children are engaged in online betting.

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You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah […] [A``li Imraan, 3:110]

Let’s rise up to the challenge, and act per our role of witnesses for humanity.

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And so We have made you an upright community so that you may be witnesses over humanity and that the Messenger may be a witness over you […] [Al Baqara, 2:143]

Society’s protection against the influence of gambling demands a concerted and organised plan of action, which can only be initiated by Muslims, in a mosque setting, which plays a central part in society.

Allah (SWT) says:

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The believers, both men and women, are guardians of one another. They encourage good and forbid evil, […] [At Tawbah, 9:71]

Let’s protect our children and family against this scourge.