Betting Boom in Yei Sparks Crime, Dropouts

(Yei) – A youth leader in Yei County has expressed serious concern over the rise of gambling among young people, saying it is driving many students away from schools and agricultural activities while also contributing to a rise in petty crime.

Gaga Frank Osman, the chairperson of the Yei Youth Association, said gambling, especially sports betting, is quickly becoming a dangerous trend in the town. He warned that many young people are now using money meant for school fees to gamble, and when they lose, some resort to stealing from families and neighbors to recover the funds.

“Many young people have joined gambling instead of joining the agricultural sector,” said Gaga. “After losing money in gambling on football games, they end up stealing people’s money and property. This is becoming a serious issue.”

Gaga added that his office had noted an increasing number of school-age boys missing classes because they are chasing quick money through betting activities. “A good number of students don’t pay school fees. They use that money to gamble and when they lose, they even steal from their parents. Some no longer attend school, preferring to spend their days gambling,” he said.

The youth leader appealed to young people in the area to avoid gambling and instead focus on more productive work such as farming, which he said can help them support their families and contribute to the local economy. He also called on the government to design new strategies to help young people access vocational education and training, start income-generating projects, and invest in education-related initiatives.

One young man, Modi Enosa, shared his personal story with Access Radio, explaining why he had turned to gambling. “I lost my parents during the war. I don’t have support to continue with school, so I started betting to try to raise some money,” he said. “I’m hoping to save enough from gambling to buy a motorbike and do boda boda business. If I get lucky, I want to return to school next year.”

Meanwhile, Mary Akandu Elias Lasu, a mother of six from Gimunu Boma, urged youth to focus on farming and education instead of gambling. “I want our young people to earn money from agriculture. Gambling is full of risks and a waste of time,” she said. She also asked the government and development partners to support young mothers with agricultural tools and loans to enable them to work and raise incomes.

“The young women of Yei need empowerment. If they are supported in agriculture or business, they can develop themselves and help build this young nation,” she added.

South Sudan’s National Bureau of Statistics reports that youth make up the majority of the country’s population, underscoring the urgent need to address issues affecting this group.