ADOLESCENTS' ENGAGEMENT IN SPORTS BETTING IN MALAWI

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the activities in sports betting involving adolescents in Malawi and the meaning that the adolescents attach to betting. Theory: The study adapted two theoretical perspectives to explore the phenomenon. These are social capital and social practice theories. The social capital lens adopted Putnam's interpretation of social capital, especially bonding social capital. Method: This study is based on the qualitative research approach of ethnography, where data is collected through observations of betting structures and sites and activities that take place there. Also, informal interviews are used to collect data from participants. Both purposive and snowball sampling techniques are used to select fourteen adolescent study participants for the interviews. Before doing observations and interviews with the adolescents, an informant interview was conducted to get a prior understanding of the phenomenon. Field notes were taken, and the interviews were also audio-recorded and transcribed. The responses are coded and thematically analysed to generate patterns, similarities, differences, and frequencies. Results: The study's findings revealed that adolescents engage in sports betting physically (at betting kiosks and betting halls) and virtually (using smartphones). They reported that sports betting is a means of trying to win money and socialise with peers; others perceived the phenomenon as time-wasting and frustrating, and negatively affects their studies. The notable factors that influence them to start engaging in the practice are peer influence (from both family and nonfamily members) and widespread betting promotions, which come in varied forms such as print and electronic media advertisements, roadside billboards, and sports betting branded materials like kiosk umbrellas.