Sports betting has rapidly expanded in Ghana, with 71% of the population having placed bets according to a 2025 GeoPoll report, predominantly among young people. This growth, fueled by smartphone access and mobile money, has prompted warnings from health experts about rising addiction and psychological distress. In May 2025, the Gaming Commission partnered with the Mental Health Authority to launch university awareness campaigns addressing the crisis.
The proliferation of sports betting in Ghana has shifted from leisure activity to a pressing public health issue, particularly affecting youth amid economic challenges. Data from GeoPoll's 2025 survey indicates that 71% of Ghanaians have engaged in betting, while TGM Research reports 41.7% participation in the past year, positioning Ghana as a key market in sub-Saharan Africa. Betting centers now dot urban and rural landscapes, supported by affordable smartphones from brands like Tecno, Infinix, and Samsung, alongside mobile money services from MTN, Vodafone, and Telecel, enabling seamless transactions.
Football dominates wagers, with 60% of bettors focusing on matches, though digital games like Aviator are surging in appeal. A May 2025 initiative by the Gaming Commission of Ghana and the Mental Health Authority targeted universities, involving lawmakers, administrators, and health professionals to highlight risks to lives and careers. Public figures have shared personal addiction stories, amplifying the message.
Nearly 70% of young Ghanaians gamble, often to supplement income or for fun, but consequences are severe. A Volta region study of 403 participants linked betting to elevated depression, anxiety, and stress, especially among males and heavy gamblers. Tragic incidents include a 2020 suicide of a 16-year-old in Kwabre East, Ashanti Region, attributed to addiction. Families face financial ruin, students skip school, and communities report social breakdowns.
Economically, the sector is projected to hit 87.61 million USD in 2025 per Statista, with the Ghana Revenue Authority aiming for one billion cedis in annual taxes. Companies have sponsored eight Ghana Premier League teams in five years. Yet, 43% of bettors spend under 10 USD monthly, while others allocate hundreds, diverting funds from essentials. A 2023 10% tax on winnings seeks to deter excess, but advertising via athletes and team logos persists despite 2020 celebrity endorsement curbs.
The Institute of Community Sustainability urges a ban on promotions, noting no specialized addiction treatment centers exist amid five psychiatric hospitals nationwide. Regulated by the 2006 Gaming Act, the industry lacks robust data on profiles and marketing impacts, hindering responses. Rare wins, like 196,093.60 cedis and six million cedis in 2023, fuel participation, but experts call for stricter ads, age enforcement, and economic aids to mitigate long-term harms.
