Yaounde’, Cameroon was engulfed in chaos and unrest as a man won $22 million dollars (13 billion Cameroonian Francs) on 1xBet but wasn’t paid.
Reports have emerged stating that the man who won bet a mere $350 (200 000 CFA Francs) before winning the huge ticket prize. 1xBet reportedly deleted the man’s account following the win to avoid a large payout.
The man then decided to pay a visit to the company office to complain. It was at this moment that 1xBet offered him $687 000 (400 million CFA Francs) as compensation. The man refused this offer. He demanded that the company give him the $22 million he had won from his original bet. This was refused.
Sparking a Riot
The man then went to inform the people of this neighbourhood of the gross misfortune that had befallen him. The news provoked the youngsters of the town who then stormed the sports betting centre. The storming grew to a stampede and soon after riots broke out in front of the company building, with reports of youths wielding dangerous weapons while demanding that the man receive his original sum.
It is a shame that cases like these are emerging in Africa, as already unstable economies rely on the gambling industry for important financial contributions. While Cameroon has experienced growth over the past few years, the effects of Covid-19 on the gambling industry throughout Africa, along with reports such as these don’t make it any easier for recovery. In the course of a couple of years, it is hoped that the necessary regulatory body steps up and offers a solution through investigation and conclusion of incidents such as these.
Tragedy After Betting Loss
On a more somber note, the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Police Command was said to be investigating the suicide of a man who had recently lost out on an N150 000 sports bet. The investigation is taking place in Pegi, in the Kuje council of Aruba, and has been ongoing since November 2021.
The man has been identified as Adegbite. He was said to have placed a bet with the money his boss had given him to pay his colleagues, hoping to expand the sum and then complete the payout afterward. One anonymous colleague explained that Adegbite had said he would commit suicide after losing the money to gambling. He expressed his surprise after the death had occurred stating that he and other colleagues did not think he would actually go through with it.
He was given the money to pay some of his colleagues at work. The money was in the region of N150 000. He took this money to a local betting shop, bet on a few matches and did not win. He had hoped to win and then pay the money back.
The following morning he was not seen by any neighbours even though they could see that he was inside. The police broke into the house and found his body.
The FCT Police Command spokesperson, DSP Josephine Ada, has confirmed that the incident is being investigated.
