To beat hunger, Nigerians turn to football betting

Many adults and students alike have resorted to football betting as a way of surviving the

current economic recession in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria observed this on Wednesday when he visited different betting centres in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

NAN reports that both unemployed and workers have embraced various kinds of betting as an alternative to survive.

A civil servant, Mr. Dayo Olaolu, told NAN that he was surviving on football betting as things get tougher every day.

“I am not a gambler, but the situation in the country has forced me to it now, as there is no alternative at the moment,” he said.

A fashion designer, Mr. Quadri Idris, said he had been trying his luck to win a bet to cater for his family’s needs, as his business was no longer thriving.

“Man must survive and I think the best way for this present situation is to gamble. I will not steal to survive, as the situation at hand demands alternative means,” he said.

Moses Olawale of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, said betting had been of help to him to sustain his academic pursuit.

Olawale said his parents could no longer cater for his education, a situation that forced him to resort to betting as an alternative.

“I am a very lucky person because I always win bets. I use the money I get from betting to pay my tuition, as there is no one to assist me, except my parents,” Olawale said.

Mr. Felix John, one of the Managers of Bet9ja in Olunlade Area of Ilorin, confirmed that his betting business was witnessing high patronage.

“We see pastors, bankers, teachers, students and even girls coming to play bet as an alternative for livelihood,” he said.

Mr. Mohammed Ishola, the Manager at Bet 360, Amilegbe Area of Ilorin, said customers were coming in large numbers to try their luck.

” I am shocked at the high rate of patronage these days. This centre is always overcrowded that you hardly see space to place your legs,” he said.

NAN reports that various betting houses abound, and they include Bet9ja, Naira Bet, Bet 360, and Bet 1X2. (NAN)