Exploring how sports betting affects academic performance of junior high school learners in Birim Central Municipality.

Abstract

The involvement of learners in various betting activities has been a trending pattern in Ghana. Hence, this study explored the involvement of JHS learners in sports betting in Birim Central Municipality and how this influences their academic performance. The Social Learning Theory and the Self-Determination Theory served as the study’s theoretical perspectives. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study based on which the qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was followed. Twelve (12) JHS learners sampled using snowball sampling technique were used. A semi-structured interview guide was used as the study’s instrument. Responses from the interviews were thematically analyzed indicating a diverse nature of betting activities in Birim Central Municipality, with learners engaged in both online platforms and physical betting outlets, influenced by peer pressure, media exposure, and personal curiosity, and funded through parental allowance and personal income. Also, it was found that the learners engage in various sports betting like aviator, soccer, volleyball, basketball, instant virtual, and casino betting on a daily or weekly basis. Again, the findings of the study show that financial gains, social pressures, and entertainment contributed to sports betting behaviours among the learners. Lastly, the study found a negative influence of sports betting on the academic performance of the learners. The conclusion drawn was that engaging in sports betting was very high among the learners and these learners recognized its detrimental effect on their academic performance. Based on this, it is recommended, among many other things, that School Improvement Support Officers (SISOs) and Heads of JHS schools within the area should implement educational programmes in schools and communities to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with different forms of betting activities.