Women become involved in gambling in the City of Nampula

Gambling in the city of Nampula has become a common pastime in several neighborhoods. In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in the participation of women in these games. Some even appear carrying their children in their arms or accompanied by their husbands.

In previous years this activity already existed, but with a smaller number of participants. However, nowadays it is common to find groups of people of both sexes including minors taking part in these games.

A source revealed that, on one occasion, they witnessed a case of a woman who lost all the money she had while gambling and even went as far as taking some belongings from her home to continue playing. Today, in the city of Nampula, there is almost no entertainment related to ordinary games, with games such as Batota or Chuco being the most common.

These are the most commonly used names in those places, although other terms are also used so that outsiders cannot easily understand what is happening. Many women who become involved in these groups also end up consuming drugs.

Some places where these games are played are known by the police, as are the players themselves. However, according to reports, instead of detaining the participants, some officers reportedly appear only to collect money and allow the games to continue normally.

Among women in these neighborhoods, the most commonly played games are Ludo and card games, although some have also developed the habit of playing Aviator. Generally, these games take place in private houses whose owners receive daily contributions from the players.

As a result, the situation has been worsening in many neighborhoods of the city. Many nieces, wives, girlfriends, sisters, and mothers end up losing their way in these environments, where drug use is also frequently observed due to peer influence.

The population is calling on the police authorities to change their way of operating. Instead of only collecting money, residents are asking that the gamblers themselves be taken into custody to prevent the situation from continuing to worsen.

This problem does not occur in just one neighborhood of Nampula city but in almost all neighborhoods, where there are specific places where gamblers gather every day. There is also information that the practice has already spread to some districts of Nampula Province, such as Nacala-Porto, Angoche, and Ilha de Moçambique, among other places. (BP)