I can’t blame anyone for doing whatever it takes to escape a collapsing economy, but a nation’s finances won’t be resurrected by a few people earning an income derived from the betting losses of others. Zimbabwe could turn things around by rejecting the legacy of scientific socialism, but there seems to be insufficient interest in that.
Unable to further his education after finishing high school with low grades in 2019, Chisakarire struggled to find a job in Zimbabwe’s stressed industries. The outbreak of COVID-19 meant his father, a truck driver, lost regular work. So Chisakarire began hanging around an illegal tavern where patrons dodged or bribed police to overlook pandemic restrictions so they could drink beer and play pool.
His hobby became a skill and he showed a talent for shooting the round balls into the pockets. Soon it helped solve his financial problems as he began betting on his games and winning. These days he earns about $300 on a good month by playing pool, he says.
Unstable money, or credit, pulls the rug out from the poor.
I’m wondering why I’m seeing all of the ads for betting sites lately, especially around sports shows. Some are endorsed by athletes who
could presumably affect the outcome of the games they play in.
It’s bad enough that the government fleeces people via lotteries.
Hubby and I have noticed for quite some time the number of ads for betting sites, everywhere, including advertising on the highways. Young people are hooked on gambling; just ask a university prof. Students in lecture hall sit at the back and are on their laptops, gambling.
About ten years ago, I was sitting in a Starbucks late at night, waiting for my daughter to come out of a concert. There was a young man sitting beside me, on his laptop, talking with another guy. Total loser. He had no job, because no job was good enough for him, or his managers weren’t as smart as he was. Gambling the whole time on his laptop.
It’s a far cry from the Jimmy the Greek days on “The NFL Today” in the 70s and 80s, when sports betting was mostly illegal.
Yet, they are “Ontario Only”. Why the hell are “national” broadcasters advertising services that are only available in an exclusive market to the entire country?
Heck, Binghampton, NY radio station’s running ads for OLG. YouTube is full of them.
Steve..
I’ve noticed that too…every 2nd commercial is flogging a Betting Site.
https://youtu.be/LI_Oe-jtgdI?t=60
Lotteries and casinos are for people who aren’t good at math.
I see Gretzky and McDavid are now shilling for MGM sports betting. Nice going you two…introduce a new generation to the horrors of gambling if it’s taken too far.
But hey, you can never have enough money, right Wayne? Reminds me of a line from Chinatown. I’m too lazy this morning to look up the exact quote.
I too, have noticed the increase in advertising for gambling, both on a computer or “smart” phone, as well as Gretzky advertising for Vegas gambling. Plus more ads for government controlled lotteries as well. Even the stock market is a form of high stakes gambling. I’ve always called the government lottery a stupidity tax. The rest of it are just more ways to get fools to part with their money. I part with enough money each month just paying my bills and eating, I don’t need other ways to be parted from my cash and savings. Besides, the WEF are doing such a great job of trying to render my money useless, worthless, and obsolete, and in such a way that I don’t even need to volunteer the money first, it’s shrinking in value all by itself!
Whatever. Some people like to gamble. The real crime is the gov’t monopoly on it.
In the 1990s, in BC, before the state stepped in, I used to work for a guy who rented VLTs to bar owners. Basically split the take 50/50 with the bar owner.
That’s all over now, thanks to Big Brother.
Zimbabwe Mon..
Funny how Zimbabwe,South Africa ,Venezuela and Canada all loudly and proudly drove down Kleptocracy Row,while the Government Funded Media applauded and cheered ,fawning over the Dear Leaders as these thugs murder and rob their citizenry..
And now they are failed states?
You will never hear of their conditions on CBC,unless the impoverished mess can be blamed on American Capitalism.
Just like those “free” services provided by the Canadian Government.
As for gambling..har har.
All the seven deadly sins are now Government funded “services”.
Monopolized.
Regulated.
Costing tax payers.
Who is the number one drug dealer and violent thug supplier of Canada?
Extortionist?
And now murder?
Good times.
“Something for nothing always ending with a bad report” – Bernie Taupin
I always win the lottery. I’m $10 ahead by not buying a ticket. I can afford a lot of the good things I have because of not buying lottery tickets.