by Nicole Telford
The proliferation of Superbet franchises, with over 200 gambling outlets targeting the poor, is causing significant problems in small villages suffering from underdevelopment, high unemployment, and massive poverty under the PPP/C administration. APNU parliamentarian Vinceroy Jordan stated that, “Superbet is a parasite, sucking the life blood out of most communities in Guyana.” The impact is evident in villages like Cotton Tree with two outlets, Bath Settlement with four, Bushlot with two, and several others, including Novar Mahaicony, Central Mahaicony, Good Faith Mahaicony, Shieldstown WBB, No. 7 Village, No. 4 Village, and Edward Village, each having at least one outlet.
The expansion of Superbet to Lethem in Region 9 has led to an unprecedented crime spree. Former Region 9 Chief Executive Officer Carl Parker told Village Voice News, “The youths are gambling and stealing to support that habit.” He explained that residents can no longer leave valuables such as bicycles, farming equipment, clothes, or even cooking utensils unattended in an area once known for its open spaces and easy movement, where people could leave their doors open. Parker described Superbet as an added scourge to the region, with the Minister of Social Services unable to address the growing issues and the understaffed police force struggling to manage the surge in small crimes, which could escalate to larger offenses amid a rising wave of criminal activity.
Superbet’s presence is felt across many villages, including Herstellin, Timehri, Providence, Agricola, and various communities in Georgetown, the West Bank, and the West Coast. The Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Social Services are both seen as complicit in the decline of the youth population, as they have failed to release data on issues affecting young people, hindering efforts to develop strategies to combat negative behavior patterns.
The ease with which anyone can open a Superbet outlet is concerning. Unlike typical business models run by the elite, Superbet outlets can be opened by any village resident, aiming to deplete the communities of whatever little funds the dreaming poor possess. Superbet is not only draining extra funds but also taking mortgage payments, utility bill payments, and encouraging an increase in quick loans from Courts, exacerbating the financial struggles of the poor.
