Sports betting becoming a moneymaker for University and college students in Kenya
Recently, opinions have been divided on the decision of president William Ruto’s administration to issue a new funding model for universities. The decision to have three tier or categories of student funding scheme directly touches on the sensitive lives of campus students who many times have resorted to sports betting as the only anchor of hope to meet daily needs when in session.
Just to mention, the new model brings together individual student households, loans and scholarships as the avenues to fund higher education in Kenya. Whatever criticisms we may have about this model which may not be popular at the moment, just like any change process, students too have to get creative about earning a penny.
Normal life of university students in Kenya
Statistics show that a sizable number of university and college graduates in Kenya are unemployed. To make it more painful, a good percentage of fresh graduates also face uncertainty about getting employed in the first or second year post graduation. But notwithstanding, a university degree or college certificate remains a key starting point that so many people yearn to have.
So many students.especially those from not well to do families have great stories to tell about how Higher Education Loan (HELB) saved their dreams. For a long time, HELB set a maximum loan limit of kes. 60000 and other grants targeting highly needy or excellent students. But the new student-centered funding model seems determined to streamline cash flow to match specific student circumstances.
Expectations versus reality for new university students in Kenya
Those who’ve gone through universities know way too well that with the increased intake of students to universities and inflation, life behind those beautiful campus gates never amuses. Talks of the past when campus students in Kenya were treated like kings and queens may not make sense to someone studying now.
Yes. the government funding and loans really salvage dreams but then when it gets to upkeep or other needs, comrades really suffer. Smart students especially those whose campus locations next to cities like the University of Nairobi take part time jobs to just keep afloat. But not everyone is lucky to efficiently manage their time and work off campus.
With minimal chances of getting an off campus job in Kenya and no family support forthcoming, so many fall back on betting. You’ll see campus students; ladies upon gentlemen keeping glued on their phones as if reading some exciting news article. Far from it, they’re simply following on midweek matches or weekend games that they bet for. Its real and current comrades can bear this forth.
Betting as a source of quick money
Generally, going through university and making it to graduation means a lot to many. It may not be because various courses offered are all hard-of course some are, but because the struggle to keep up with course demands and fend for personal needs can be overwhelming at times.
An undergraduate student in Kenya joins campus in high spirit and hopes to excel in whatever programs are admitted to. This ought to be the case but then quickly reality hits that to be stable as a student also comes with a need for reliable funds for food, personal effects and sometimes rent.
With limited time to split between studying and looking for jobs outside campus or where such jobs are just too few, betting provides a perfect alternative. All that a student needs to have is some little disposable cash from as low as ksh. 50 and sign up to an online betting platform to start gambling. That’s pretty straightforward and needs little time investment, only luck and hope.
Campus students may be lucky to win bet jackpot and multibet to supplement the many needs
Online betting sites available to Kenyans to sign up and gamble keep increasing by the day. If there’s any time that gambling has proven to be a fall back for many Kenyans, students included, then it’s now.
For instance, a Jomo Kenyatta University student, Eli Kipruto Rotich made headlines for winning up to two hundred million Betika mega jackpot. Such news reverberates in the minds of so many students and keeps them betting more.
While we may not argue that students in higher education have a special smartness that makes them likely to win bets, somehow analyzing games helps. The students, most of whom spend their evenings and weekends watching soccer, and actually support various teams , know their performance.
On weekends, so many students don jerseys showing their various preferred teams in the English premier league. In fact, its a signature for campus life that both male and female students identify so seriously with and support those foreign teams but when it comes to betting, that’s where a liberal mindset creeps in.
University students betting in Kenya analyze odds and teams so much just to stand a winning chance
The honest truth is that our Kenyan universities have some of the best brains, very creative and analytical par excellence. If you doubt this then remember that it’s the JKUAT students who stood trial for penetrating the NCBA Bank system and made away with Sh. 25 million.
To get on top of the game, student bettors hole up in groups to discuss which teams really stand a chance to perform in a particular way. They then come up with bet slips that predict possibilities of wins, draws, loses, specific goals scored, performance in first have.
More organized student bettors even create a mosaic of all possible match outcomes and then each of them places a bet for alternative outcomes. This increases their chances of winning and sharing the spoils amongst them.
Some of the online betting platforms that Kenyan university students use
By any description, betting is a game of trial and error. Its not for sure that one will win on their bets or not. Similarly, different betting platforms have come up and each has some unique aspects when it comes to odds, payback, bonus, jackpot amounts and the likes.
Interestingly, it’s no surprise that some students opt to sign up for more than one of the betting places as they’re free for people to join. Some of these betting sites and betting apps include:
- Palms Bet Kenya
- 22 Bet Kenya
- Betway App
- Betwinner App
- Mozzart bet
- Betika.com
- Sportpesa
- Odibets
Strategies campus students use to increase chances of winning
Winning a bet can be a challenge. Maybe you are struggling to achieve success in this area. Whether you are a seasoned bettor or a beginner, there are several strategies you can employ to increase your chances of winning. Which are including;
- Have knowledge on the flow of the markets.
- Have the guts mentality that your selected team stands a chance of winning.
- The fewer selection n multibet, the better chances you have to make a win.
Certainly, betting has some risks that experienced bettors are well aware of but always tend to ignore until such a time that they lose money. Yes, betting can be a source of quick money but may not be a sustainable source of income.
Effects of betting that student bettors need to be aware of
It’s important to note that while you are betting, it may offer some potential benefits. It can also have negative effects on you.
Positives of sports betting for students
- An opportunity for learning: betting can teach you about probability, risk management, and decision-making skills.
- A boost in confidence: winning bets can boost your confidence and self-esteem, leading to a positive mindset.
- Increased excitement and enjoyment: betting can add you an extra level of excitement and enjoyment to watching sports or playing games.
Negative effects
- Impaired academic performance: spending too much time betting can negatively affect your academic performance, causing you to miss classes, assignments, or examinations.
- Addiction: betting can lead to addiction and may cause significant financial and emotional harm.
- Financial problem: you may spend more than you can afford, leading to significant financial problems including debt and inability to pay for your basic needs.
- Increased stress: losing bets or chasing losses can make you have increased stress and anxiety.
