By Socrates Smythe Saywon
The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health, has announced a sweeping ban on shisha and imposed a nationwide moratorium on the sale and distribution of tramadol as part of efforts to address the country’s escalating drug epidemic.
In a press release issued on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and signed by Health Minister Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, the Ministry stated that the measures are in accordance with Part V, Chapter 41 of the Public Health Law, which governs the control of narcotic drugs in Liberia. “The Ministry of Health announces the intensified enforcement of Part V, Chapter 41 of the Public Health Law (Control of Narcotic Drugs), which strictly prohibits the possession, sale, or distribution of prescriptive or non-prescriptive drugs for wholesale or manufacturing without a permit issued by the Liberian Pharmacy Board and approved by the Minister of Health,” the release noted. Effective Friday, August 22, 2025, tramadol use will be restricted solely to licensed hospital settings under professional medical supervision, while shisha is now completely banned in all public and private facilities, including bars, entertainment centers, and private homes.
These measures reflect a growing recognition that certain vices have far-reaching consequences for individuals and communities. Following these actions, former Minister of Commerce Amin Modad has highlighted another urgent concern: sports betting and gambling. He describes it as a “pervasive epidemic” that is quietly yet devastatingly eroding Liberia’s social fabric. His warnings merit serious consideration, particularly as gambling has emerged as one of the fastest-growing threats to the well-being of Liberian youth and families.
Sports betting has become increasingly visible in Liberia over the past decade, promoted through billboards, radio, social media, and mobile apps. Its marketing often emphasizes quick wealth and easy money, preying on those struggling economically. For young Liberians facing unemployment and limited opportunities, the allure is strong. Modad emphasizes that gambling destroys lives, tears families apart, and fuels depression and anxiety, which can lead to addiction, criminal activity, and substance abuse. In a country where poverty is widespread, gambling offers the false promise of upward mobility but often leaves participants in deeper despair.
Critics of a potential ban argue that gambling is ultimately a matter of personal choice, much like alcohol or tobacco use. They suggest that responsible individuals can engage in betting without harm. However, Modad’s comparison of gambling to drug addiction is particularly apt. Like addiction, gambling is not simply about choice; it can hijack decision-making, distort priorities, and perpetuate cycles of poverty. The psychological impact can be severe, with compulsive gamblers often borrowing money, accruing debts, or even engaging in criminal activity to fund their habits. The consequences extend beyond the individual to families and communities, undermining social cohesion and economic stability.
Looking globally, countries that have banned or heavily regulated gambling provide instructive examples. Singapore, for instance, imposes strict restrictions on gambling, requiring citizens to register for entry into casinos. The advantages of such regulation include lower rates of problem gambling, reduced financial distress among vulnerable populations, and fewer gambling-related crimes. Citizens are protected from predatory marketing practices, and the state maintains oversight of potentially exploitative industries. On the other hand, strict bans can have drawbacks. In Singapore, and in other countries with restrictive policies, underground gambling networks often emerge, making enforcement difficult and potentially more dangerous. Bans can also limit economic benefits, such as employment and tax revenue, that legalized gambling can generate when properly regulated.
Scandinavian countries have adopted a hybrid approach, combining regulation with public education and treatment services for problem gamblers. Sweden, for example, maintains a national gambling monopoly while promoting public awareness campaigns about responsible gambling. Citizens have access to treatment for gambling addiction, and licensed operators are closely monitored to prevent predatory behavior. This approach mitigates the social harms associated with gambling while still allowing adults to engage responsibly. Such examples suggest that Liberia could adopt a balanced model, regulating licensed gambling while banning unregulated operations that exploit poverty and desperation.
The Liberian context, however, presents unique challenges. Weak regulatory institutions, pervasive poverty, and limited public awareness mean that unregulated sports betting could become a long-term public health crisis. Many betting companies operate with little oversight, and advertisements often target young people in ways that encourage risk-taking. Mobile sports betting applications, while convenient, make it easier for users to gamble continuously and anonymously, increasing the likelihood of addiction. Public understanding of gambling’s risks remains low, and many families are unaware of the financial and psychological harm that gambling can cause.
Modad’s call for a ban is therefore not merely moralistic; it is pragmatic. By proactively addressing sports betting, Liberia has the opportunity to prevent the social decay that often accompanies widespread gambling. Early intervention could protect the nation’s youth from addiction, prevent family breakdowns, and reduce the incidence of gambling-related crimes.
However, banning sports betting alone will not be sufficient. To be effective, a ban must be accompanied by public education campaigns, enforcement mechanisms, and access to mental health and addiction treatment services. Schools and community organizations can play a role in teaching young people about the risks of gambling. Local media can expose illegal operations and inform the public about safe alternatives for recreation. Civil society organizations, including youth groups, can monitor betting companies and advocate for responsible policies. Such a holistic approach is critical if Liberia hopes to mitigate the widespread harms associated with gambling.
In addition to public health considerations, the economic implications of sports betting must also be addressed. While gambling can generate revenue through licensing fees and taxes, unregulated operations often capture profits while leaving social costs to the public. Families lose income, communities bear the burden of increased crime, and the healthcare system absorbs costs related to gambling-related mental health issues. A regulated framework could allow the government to capture economic benefits while reducing social harms. Conversely, ignoring the problem allows unregulated operators to exploit the vulnerable, deepening poverty and social inequality.
Liberian civil society experts and mental health professionals have emphasized the urgency of intervention. Dr. Edward Kollie, a psychologist working with at-risk youth, warns that gambling addiction in Liberia is already contributing to a rise in depression and anxiety among young people. “Many of our young people are being drawn into betting under the false promise of wealth,” Dr. Kollie said. “By the time they realize the danger, they are often in deep debt and struggling with mental health challenges.” His observations underscore Modad’s concerns and highlight the need for a national strategy to combat gambling addiction.
The advantages of a strict ban, as seen internationally, include protection for vulnerable populations, reduced gambling-related crime, and improved public health outcomes. Countries with bans report lower rates of problem gambling, and families experience fewer financial disruptions. Disadvantages can include the emergence of underground markets and lost economic opportunities, but these can be mitigated through strong enforcement and public education campaigns. Liberia’s policy design must therefore balance protection with economic considerations, ensuring that the country does not simply drive gambling underground while ignoring its social costs.
In conclusion, Liberia faces a pivotal moment. The choice is clear. Liberia must either continue allowing unregulated sports betting to prey on the poor, eroding families and communities, or implement decisive action to regulate or ban the practice. Modad’s warning should serve as a call to policymakers, civil society, and community leaders to take collective responsibility for the welfare of Liberia’s youth. A comprehensive strategy that includes prohibition of unregulated betting, public education, mental health support, and regulation of licensed operators offers the best chance to safeguard the nation’s social and economic future.
Liberia’s youth, families, and society at large deserve evidence-based policies that mitigate the harms of gambling while promoting responsible choices. The time to act is now. If unchecked, sports betting will continue to quietly destroy lives, undermine communities, and threaten the future of a nation already grappling with economic and social challenges.
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