The anatomy of a gambler

A joint survey by Ipsos and GeoPoll, Unpacking Betting in Kenya, has attempted to lay bare the relationship between household income (the combined income of all members of a household) and betting.

It found that households with a monthly income of Sh0 to Sh77,000 form a majority of bettors in the country at 83 per cent, against six per cent of households earning between Sh77,001 and Sh186,000.

Further, self-employed people, who tend to be risk takers, bet the most at 33 per cent, followed by the unemployed (at 28 per cent), the employed (20 per cent) and students (18 per cent).

The survey added that 3 per cent of those who earn between Sh295,000 and Sh404,000, and between Sh404,001 and Sh515,000 bet. Among those who take home more than this a month, just 1 per cent bet.

The report also noted that bettors are unhappy with the suspension of betting with one out of five, saying they will never watch a major football tournament again.

“Six out of 10 of bettors are looking to spend their money on other items or other betting channels,” the report reads, noting that those who are unemployed are more likely to seek alternative betting channels.

“Whilst 40 per cent of bettors intend to save this money, 60 per cent intend to spend it, either on other items (35 per cent) or other betting channels (25 per cent)”

It says bettors with a monthly household income of more than Sh77,000 are most likely to use the money they would use to bet, to spend on other items.