Gambling and Deviance Behaviour Among Youths in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Gambling is a trending problem among the youths that usually result in suicide attempts and self-harm among gamblers. Gambling also prompts our youths to engage in theft and other deviance behavior. This study was conducted to investigate why gamblers are prone to suicide and other deviant behaviour. Survey research method was adopted for this study and respondents were selected using multiple sampling techniques; this include purposive, snowball and simple random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through interview and participant observation, while secondary data were collected from extant literature. The study applied Frustration-Aggression Theory in order to explain the relationship between gambling, suicide and deviant behaviour among gamblers. The concept and empirical studies reviewed from other research works were used for inference, conclusion and recommendations. Findings from the study show that gambling related debts contributes to suicide and suicidality. The study further showed that gambling is seen as a coping mechanism to get rich very quickly. The study recommends (amongst others) that the government should ban all gambling/betting companies in Nigeria in order to reduce suicidality and criminality among gamblers. Government should subject all addicted gamblers to psychological tests to ensure that they are free from deviant behavior.