The Effects of Sports Betting on the Moral Behaviours of Students in Colleges of Education in Ghana

The study examined the effects of sports betting on the moral behaviour of students in Colleges of Education in Ghana. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Using the multi-stage technique involving proportionate and simple random sampling procedures, three hundred and two (302) students from five colleges of Education in Ghana. Questionnaires were the instruments used in collecting data for the study. The data was analysed through the computation of frequency counts, and percentages, as well as means and standard deviations. The study demonstrated that students had a positive perception of the effects of sports betting on their moral behaviours. They believed that sports betting was not immoral, that it might be profitable and that it was only beneficial to those who understood how it worked. The students were unsure as to whether sports betting was against their religious beliefs or if it was only for slothful people who did not want to work. Despite these, the students mentioned that sports betting can be addictive; it is a very risky business, and people despise those that bet. Thus the study concluded that even though sports betting appears lucrative, it is addictive and can cause more harm than good. It recommended the necessity of Guidance and Counselling Units on Colleges of Education campuses running programs to inform students about exaggerated claims about the advantages of sports betting and the negative effects of sports betting. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the phenomena of sports betting by presenting a contextual view of the activity, particularly among young Ghanaian college students. Keywords: Perceptions, Morality, Sports Betting, Students, Colleges of Education