Soccer betting has emerged as a popular pastime in many African countries, particularly among young people. A 2024 report by GeoPoll revealed that 76.16% of respondents from Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria had engaged in gambling or betting, with soccer being the most favored sport. The majority of these bettors are young men aged 16 to 34.
While the negative aspects of sports betting, such as gambling addiction and the potential for involvement in money laundering, have been widely discussed, our recent research from Zimbabwe sheds light on some surprisingly positive outcomes of this practice.
Soccer betting as a coping mechanism
Our study explored how young men in urban Zimbabwe are using soccer betting to cope with unemployment and generate income. We discovered that, beyond providing a source of income, betting also plays a crucial role in encouraging the adoption of digital technologies among this demographic. Through betting, these young men acquire essential digital skills, including internet navigation, research, and networking, that they might not have developed in formal educational settings.
This perspective challenges the common notion that time spent on betting is wasted. Instead, it suggests that these activities can serve as valuable preparation for future opportunities. The digital and analytical skills gained through soccer betting are not only applicable to betting but also transferable to other areas of life, including job searches and entrepreneurial endeavors.
The reality of “waithood”
In many African countries, young people face prolonged periods of unemployment after completing their education, often waiting years before securing stable employment, earning reliable incomes, acquiring assets, starting families, and fully transitioning to adulthood. This phenomenon, often referred to as “waithood,” is exacerbated by sluggish economic and industrial growth.
During this waiting period, young people engage in various activities, mostly within the informal sector, to make ends meet. Some continue their education, hoping that additional qualifications will make them more competitive in the job market. Others take on informal jobs in diverse fields such as music, farming, and forex trading, either part-time or full-time. Many also start their own small businesses, contributing to the broader “hustling” culture observed across the continent.
This concept of hustling has gained recognition in various African nations. For instance, in Kenya, President William Ruto emphasized the significance of hustling as an economic activity during his “Every Hustle Counts” campaign, which played a pivotal role in securing the youth vote in the 2022 election.
Insights from our study
Our research focused on young, unemployed men aged 18 to 38 in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, and Norton, a town about 40 kilometers west of Harare. The participants included individuals who had completed secondary school without pursuing tertiary education, as well as university or college graduates.
The study revealed that these young men engage in both manual and online betting. Regardless of the method, informed betting requires up-to-date knowledge of soccer, including detailed analyses of leagues, teams, and players. Most bettors focus on international soccer and rely heavily on the internet for information.
Before placing their bets, participants conduct thorough research, including match fixture dates and times, team and player performance, injuries, and potential line-ups. They utilize various sources such as soccer statistics, news, video highlights, and social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. Expert analyses and predictions are also popular among bettors, who often use WhatsApp groups to share information and insights. Additionally, they watch live matches and utilize websites and apps like Score808, Hesgoal, AiScore, and Crowd Scores to stay updated on games they cannot watch live.
Digital skills acquisition through betting
One participant noted, “To be a successful punter, you must have some digital and internet skills. You should know how and where to get information quickly. You should also know how to operate your phone, tablet, or laptop; otherwise, without such skills, the devices will not serve you.”
This comment highlights that internet access alone is insufficient. While some betting shops provide internet-connected desktops for those without smartphones or data, participants emphasized the importance of owning their digital devices. All participants owned at least one device, whether a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer, and many had additional gadgets such as power banks, chargers, and portable wifi devices.
Some participants used their betting profits to upgrade their devices, purchasing models with better storage and battery life. Through their betting activities, they developed a range of digital skills, including device operation, typing, internet usage, information retrieval, and the downloading and organization of documents, images, videos, and audio files. Some already possessed these skills and applied them to their betting, while others acquired them through self-training or collaboration with peers.
Collaboration and networking
Collaboration and networking emerged as key components of successful betting strategies. Many participants used social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp and Facebook, to share ideas and critical information. By working together online, they could divide research tasks and provide real-time feedback to each other.
This communal approach to betting not only enhanced their chances of success but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual support, which is particularly valuable in the face of the economic and social challenges they encounter.
Conclusion: waithood as a period of growth
Our research demonstrates that the period of “waithood” does not necessarily equate to wasted or lost time. Young people can utilize this period to develop and refine their skills, even in small or informal ways, as exemplified by the soccer bettors in our study. By embracing digital technologies and engaging in collaborative efforts, these young Zimbabweans are turning what could be seen as a challenging period into an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
Additionally, this research invites policymakers and educators to recognize the potential of such informal activities in equipping young people with valuable skills that can aid in their personal and professional development. Recognizing and supporting these endeavors can help bridge the gap between formal education and real-world applications, ultimately empowering the youth to navigate the challenges of unemployment and economic instability.
