By Françios Kwatani

An economic expert, Dr Betchani Tchereni of the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) has called on Malawians to desist from taking gambling as a source of income as the habit is addictive and can negatively affect people’s economic behaviour.

He made the sentiments following National Lotteries Board in conjunction with Malawi Gaming Board’s plea to the general public to take gambling as a form of entertainment.

Tchereni said many people in Malawi have become addicted to gambling and the effects are extreme as health studies indicate that the addiction is similar to those abusing drugs.

He added that gambling addiction brings unproductivity in working thereby the participants resorting in stealing to find money to place as stake at the gambling games.

However, Tchereni said gambling operations conducted in the country by gambling companies and also the winners of the games contribute heavily to the growth of economy as they pay taxes.