Months of research have shown that the crisis of gambling apps is increasingly growing in Pakistan, and the widely used social media figures are the ones contributing to the crisis, namely the ones admired by millions of young people.
Whistleblowers and investigators confirm that the betting platform, World 777, has invested huge sums of money in influencer-based marketing to attract naive Pakistanis, particularly the youth, into online betting scams.
The investigation identifies popular leaders like YouTuber Nadir Ali, Aimen Zaman, Varda Malik, Javeria Aurangzeb, Abeera Khan, Faryal Fairy, Nauman Kazmi, and Furqan Khan as those who allegedly advertised the app by sharing viral posts and videos, describing that betting is a source of easy money or fun games.
The financial loss behind these glossy endorsements is enormous. Officials project that billions of rupees are being drained annually abroad through these platforms crippling the Pakistani economy and creating gambling addiction. Each rupee that runs out via these applications is an economic cut, a top official observed.
Read more: Ducky Bhai Remanded in Gambling App Promotion Case
Mental health professionals are registering an upsurge in cases of betting related stress and addiction, especially among the young men. The criticisms of the industry are also increasing as hashtags such as; #BanOnlineGambling and #ShameOnInfluencers are trending as citizens seek answers.
Regulators are currently considering tougher digital regulations and more serious punishments on promoters and companies involved in illicit betting. With the mounting pressure, officials emphasize that unregulated gambling apps pose more than just the risk to the financial stability, but also the possibility that a generation of people would be left in a time of psychological and economic damage.
