The emergence of gambling apps and websites in the valley is now silent, quietly trapping youth while ruining households both financially and emotionally.
The draw of fast money and gambling has always been a dangerous temptation, and online gambling apps take complete advantage of this temptation.
Through advertising campaigns showing others winning big at high stakes, and simply arbitrary calling for aggressive marketing campaigns, digital gambling apps have hooked our youth.
Kashmiri youth may begin with small bets, tuning themselves to think that, by doing so, they can control their behaviour. What they don’t realize is how quickly they will spiral down in the realm of gambling. Yet still, the elusive potential “big win” keeps them hoping while their bank accounts, salaries, and even personal borrowing goes into the void of gambling apps.
Families are being ripped apart all because a family member is losing potential livelihood, the savings of a child’s education, medical expenses, or simply necessities for the home have vanished through no more than defective wagering.
The emotion and chaos that comes mental break is common as families scramble to uncover what happened in the moment of static thinking, and now have lost everything to gambling. Loans have been opened, homes had been mortgaged. Though some word of mouth stories proclaim people to have even resorted to stealing to fuel their gambling behaviours.
The psychological toll is equally catastrophic, with rising levels of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal behaviors troubling those caught in this destructive cycle.
Although gambling is illegal according to Islamic law and mostly frowned upon in Kashmiri society, the anonymity of online gambling agencies has allowed this evil to go unchallenged.
We call on authorities for early action to shut illegal gambling sites and to regulate digital payment platforms that allow gambling payment transactions.
But run a strong awareness campaign – educational institutions, religious leaders and community elders can work together to raise awareness about the dangers of online gambling and how to help those who are battling a gambling addiction.
Families and friends need to be alert and aware when they see early signs of gambling addiction – unexplained financial problems, secrecy, or emotional changes.
Victims of illegal online gambling will undoubtedly need counseling and rehabilitation services to restore their lives, while we search for ways to give youth more outlets for productive use of their time – whether sport, skills development services, or channeling investment into entrepreneurship – then gambling should not even be an option.
