[Focus] Suicides, dettes et désespoir : La face sombre de l’addiction aux jeux au Sénégal (1/2)
In Senegal, online betting is experiencing explosive growth, fueled by the ubiquity of smartphones and aggressive advertising campaigns. But behind the lure of quick wins, a trap is closing in on many bettors. Between chronic debt and human tragedies, regulators, operators, and social actors are still struggling to coordinate their efforts to stem the ravages of addiction.
A series of tragedies that break the silence
The country has recently been shaken by tragic events. A gendarmerie warrant officer was buried on Sunday, May 10, 2026, following a suicide attributed, according to Seneweb sources, to massive losses on gambling platforms. A few weeks earlier, in Thiès, a student wagered 3.7 million CFA francs on 1XBet in an attempt to cover a shortfall, before plunging into complete financial ruin.
These stories are just the tip of the iceberg. Students, employees, or the unemployed: addiction doesn't discriminate. For many, the downward spiral is the same. "I'm ruining my life," confides an anonymous gambler. "I gamble to pay off my debts, but I end up in debt up to my neck."
For those with addictions, the logic of compensation takes precedence over reason. A 37-year-old former cashier, interviewed by Reuters, recounted stealing from his own till to gamble: "The realization only comes after losing everything. It hurts to realize that you worked for hours only to bet it all and lose in a flash."
While some, like this teacher who bets daily, claim total control, experts are more alarmed. "The line is porous. Losing money pushes the player to want to 'win it back,' and that's precisely where addiction takes hold," explains Seydina Mouhamed Gueye, president of the SOS Parieur association.
The role of Lonase: Between management and regulation
At the heart of the system, the Senegalese National Lottery (Lonase) has held the exclusive right to manage and regulate games of chance since 1966. Souleymane Mané, director of the national company's management system, affirms that prevention is a priority: "The pictogram prohibiting minors from gambling is everywhere, and we support the Integrated Addiction Treatment Center (CEPIAD)."
However, access to this care is a concern. "Many gamblers are unaware that they can get treatment," laments the founder of SOS Parieur. Furthermore, the centralization of treatment centers in Dakar leaves gamblers in rural areas completely without access.
The advertising offensive has been denounced.
Private operators advocate for "responsibility." Seydi Barkhaham Thiam, spokesperson for 1XBet, claims that their advertising targets "enthusiasts" to ensure gambling remains a leisure activity. This argument is dismissed by SOS Parieur, which denounces a dangerous trivialization: "Today, everyone is promoting gambling: influencers, singers, promo codes... It's a huge risk factor, especially for younger people."
Seydina Mouhamed Gueye goes further, pointing to a structural conflict of interest: "Lonase cannot simultaneously organize, sell, and regulate gambling and also want to solve addiction problems. An independent regulatory body is needed."
The 20% tax: A cure worse than the disease?**
Since November 2025, a 20% tax has been applied to all winnings (Law No. 17/2025). While the government sees it as a source of revenue and a deterrent, the effect on the ground seems to be the opposite. "Since the tax was introduced, we've seen more people at the association," reveals SOS Parieur. By reducing net winnings, the tax paradoxically encourages players to bet larger sums or more frequently to compensate for the tax burden.
For their part, operators fear that this tax pressure will push bettors towards illegal platforms, escaping all control and depriving the State of revenue, while exposing players to increased risks.
Between the promise of a better life and the harsh reality of empty bank accounts, online gambling has become a major social phenomenon in Senegal. Without stricter, decentralized, and truly independent regulation, this "mere entertainment" risks continuing to derail entire lives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B52HYCQaYCY
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