ONLINE betting and gambling have swiftly become one of the most dangerous and fast-spreading addictions of the digital era, a global phenomenon that has outpaced almost every other trend in both reach and destruction.
Behind the flashing lights and promises of quick riches lie stories of broken families, financial ruin, and mental collapse.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and The Lancet Commission have already sounded the alarm on the growing threat of online gambling addiction, warning of its dire consequences—not just for individual well-being, but also for society at large.
From depression, anxiety, and suicide to domestic violence, job loss, and family breakdowns, the costs of this silent epidemic are staggering.
Here in Guyana, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo has emerged as one of the few leaders in the Caribbean to confront this issue head-on.
During two consecutive press conferences, he addressed the devastating social and economic toll of online gambling and signalled the government’s intention to introduce regulatory controls, including access restrictions and taxation on operators.
His position is clear: no responsible government can ignore a crisis that is quietly tearing families apart.
We strongly commend and fully support the Vice-President’s decisive stance. Jagdeo’s advocacy is not about policing individual freedoms; it is about protecting the vulnerable—especially young people and working-class citizens—from a digital addiction that masquerades as entertainment,` but functions as a social disease.
Globally, the statistics are alarming. A Lancet study estimates that families could lose over US$700 billion annually by 2028 to online gambling.
Already, more than 450 million people worldwide are affected, with over 80 million suffering serious consequences such as job loss, financial devastation, and family disintegration.
Although Guyana has not yet conducted a comprehensive national study on the impact of online betting, the signs are visible.
From farmers and teachers to housewives and public servants, more and more citizens are being drawn into the grip of betting apps. What was once confined to glitzy casinos is now carried in our pockets, on smartphones, tablets, and computers. As a result, gambling has become accessible anywhere, anytime, by anyone.
This new digital frontier has blurred the line between leisure and addiction. It is not uncommon to hear of sugar workers betting during field breaks, teachers gambling between classes, or housewives spending hours online instead of engaging in family life.
Even professionals and politicians have not been immune. The accessibility and anonymity of online gambling have amplified its risks exponentially.
Like the tobacco and alcohol industries before it, the online gambling sector has deployed lavish advertising and lobbying campaigns to glamorise the habit and resist regulation.
The results are predictable: mounting debt, social decline, and rising mental health crises, all while corporate operators rake in massive profits at the expense of society’s most vulnerable.
Guyana currently has no regulatory framework governing online betting and gambling, which leaves citizens exposed to predatory marketing and addiction traps.
Around the world, only a few nations—mostly developed economies—have successfully imposed strong controls. In most regions, the trend is toward liberalisation rather than protection, a dangerous shift that prioritises corporate gain over public welfare.
Vice-President Jagdeo’s proposed reforms seek to balance personal freedom with social responsibility. His approach mirrors the government’s broader philosophy—allowing innovation and technology to flourish, while ensuring that public welfare is safeguarded. In this regard, Jagdeo’s call for regulation is both timely and necessary.
Guyana already has existing laws governing casino licensing in hotels and entertainment venues.
When these were enacted, Parliament’s Special Select Committee ensured that the process was transparent and participatory, with inputs from both lawmakers and the public. The same approach should now guide the national conversation on regulating the online gambling industry.
This is not just a policy issue—it is a moral and social imperative. The government’s move to address online betting should be seen as part of a broader commitment to strengthening family structures, promoting mental health, and safeguarding economic stability.
Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo’s leadership on this matter exemplifies the kind of courage and foresight that Guyana needs at this juncture.
By confronting a problem that many would rather ignore, he has shown what responsible and people-centred governance truly looks like.
Guyana must rally behind this initiative. The time to act is now—before more lives are destroyed, more families are broken, and more dreams are lost to the seductive yet devastating world of online gambling.