To combat sports gambling addiction, GameAid Zambia and BolaBet Zambia have partnered to provide much-needed assistance to addicts.
Through the partnership, BolaBet will invest more than K150,000, which will be paid over 12 months to support GameAid’s reforming programs for game addicts.
Muuluka Nalubamba, the founder of GameAid Zambia, praised BolaBet for demonstrating its concern for the welfare of its customers. She stated that her organization, which has been in existence for over a year now, is determined to help transform the lives of people struggling with gambling addiction.
“Our primary purpose is to help people struggling with gambling addiction. We are specific; the only addiction we are dealing with for now is gambling addiction because we saw a growing problem with addiction and a lot more people struggling with addiction,” Nalubamba said.
“Our main goal is to have a rehab center for gambling addicts. Right now we are just doing out patient and online counseling but the end goal is to have an in person rehab center and with time we hope we can achieve that”.
“Regarding our partnership with Bolabet, they have made it clear that they care for their clients and I think they have seen a problem as well with a rise in gambling addicts and that’s the reason for this partnership.”
Nalubamba stated that GameAid, in partnership with BolaBet, will assist gambling addicts in their efforts to change their ways by offering online, phone, and in-person counseling services.
GameAid will also run family support groups and peer support programs.
‘BolaBet promoting responsible gambling’ – Kumwenda
Ray Kumwenda, the chief financial officer of BolaBet, stated that the company was honoured to collaborate with GameAid in order to combat gambling addiction.
“We know that gaming and gambling sometimes is a form of entertainment and excitement if done in moderation but we are also alive to that fact that if left unattended to it becomes a problem. And when it becomes a problem it is not only for the individual involved but also affects families and just the community at large….So what we have done, we have a joint initiative with our colleagues from GameAid to see how we can help these people,” Kumwenda said.
He added: “We don’t want to see any of the cases not being helped. We will also bear the responsibility to promote responsible gambling. This is the first stage of this partnership and we are hoping that it will grow into a fruitful one. We are very excited to be partnering with GameAid and we know that for the last one year GameAid has been doing a commendable job.”
Speaking after the partnership signing ceremony witnessed by Bolabet country Manager, Eamon Park and marketing manager, Chama Chikonde, Kumwenda said BolaBets desire to see communities that are safe from game addiction.
“We want everybody to enjoy gaming and gambling responsibly and so I think we are the first ones in the industry doing this and we want to be trendsetters. We want to be the champions of this project in this industry. Our responsibility is to make sure that we promote a responsible couture of gambling. We know that if not attended to, it might create a problem for everyone and that is why the onus is on both BolaBet and GameAid to ensure that we have an agreement and a program that make sure that everybody struggling with game addiction is helped to promote a society where everyone observes responsible gaming and that’s why we are puting such initiatives in place,” he said.
In addition to collaborating with GameAid to benefit its customers, Kumwenda pointed out that BolaBet fostered a proactive community by organising the Bola Ya Mu Hood Football competition, which attracted players from different Kitwe and Lusaka communities.
