Kampala, Uganda- A football fan whose identity is not yet known collapsed at Sekazinga Arcade in Kampala on Sunday after losing Shs 2 million in just 90 minutes. Reports say the man had used the money, which belonged to his boss, to bet on Liverpool winning the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw during normal time and went to penalties. Liverpool missed two penalty kicks, and Crystal Palace won the shootout 3-2. The loss crushed Liverpool fans’ hopes and left the bettor with nothing.
Witnesses say the man had been very excited earlier in the day and was sure Liverpool would win. But when the final whistle blew and the penalty defeat was confirmed, he collapsed in shock. Sources say the Shs 2 million was part of the day’s shop sales from his boss’s business.
This is just one of many betting tragedies in Uganda. In recent years, several people have either collapsed or taken their own lives after big gambling losses. In 2022, a man in Mbale reportedly took his life after losing rent money on a Champions League match. In another case in Masaka, a boda boda rider sold his motorcycle to place a bet and ended up losing all the money.
Betting experts and health officials have warned people not to use important money such as rent, school fees, or business funds for gambling. The National Gaming Board has reminded the public to treat betting as a form of entertainment, not as a way to earn a living, and to always gamble responsibly.
As investigations into the Kampala case continue, this stands as another clear warning about the dangers of high-stakes betting, especially when it involves money that one cannot afford to lose.
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