PEERZADA MASARAT SHAH
In the tranquil valley of Kashmir, a sinister trend is quietly taking root, turning dreams into despair and futures into failures. Once celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and the boundless potential of its youth, the region now finds itself grappling with an insidious epidemic: online gambling. If left unchecked, this silent destroyer threatens to dismantle not just individual lives but the fabric of society itself.

THE NEW AGE TRAP
Gone are the days when gambling was restricted to shady dens and whispered deals. Today, with the advent of smartphones and the internet, the trap of online gambling is just a click away. Whether you’re a teenager armed with a smartphone or a professional seeking a momentary thrill, the allure of quick money is proving too tempting to resist.
In its deceptive simplicity lies its danger. One moment, you’re scrolling through your phone; the next, you’re betting on a virtual card game or spinning a digital roulette wheel. The false promise of easy wealth blinds the victim to the darker reality: crippling debts, strained relationships, and a hollowed-out sense of self-worth.
FINANCIAL RUIN: FROM DREAMS TO DISASTERS
Consider the story of Sagar (name changed), a 12th-grade student who lost ₹3 lakhs—money his family had saved for years to build their dream house. Today, Sagar has dropped out of school and works alongside his father to help make ends meet. The house remains an unfulfilled dream, replaced instead by a nightmare of regret and hardship.
Or take Dr. Raj Khan (name changed), a promising young doctor whose gambling addiction has cost him lakhs. The irony of a healer succumbing to such self-destructive behavior is tragic. His inability to focus on his patients now jeopardizes not only his career but also the lives of those under his care.
The epidemic spares no one. In North Kashmir, a nurse and a teacher—pillars of their communities—have collectively lost substantial sums, putting their financial stability and professional reputations at risk.
MENTAL AND SOCIAL CHAOS
Financial loss is just the tip of the iceberg. For many, the aftermath of gambling addiction includes depression, anxiety, and an irreparable loss of self-esteem. Relationships buckle under the strain, with families torn apart by blame, mistrust, and shame.
Desperation often drives addicts to darker paths. Theft, fraud, and other criminal activities become means to an end as they scramble to sustain their habit. This fuels not just individual ruin but also societal discord, tarnishing the community’s reputation and sowing seeds of mistrust and violence.
THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF MORAL DECAY
Online gambling does more than empty pockets—it erodes values. The obsession with easy money undermines principles like hard work, integrity, and perseverance. Young minds, instead of focusing on education and self-improvement, are diverted into a cycle of addiction and distraction. What could have been a generation of innovators and leaders risks becoming one of gamblers and debtors.
WHOSE FAULT IS IT? EVERYONE’S, APPARENTLY
Blame for this epidemic can be generously distributed:
Parents: Often oblivious to their children’s online activities, many parents unknowingly fund the very addiction that destroys their families.
Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges, supposedly nurturing grounds for future leaders, have failed to address the growing menace through awareness or counseling.
Society at Large: Religious leaders, community elders, and local influencers have turned a blind eye, offering little in terms of moral or practical guidance.
The Government: By failing to regulate or restrict online gambling platforms, authorities have effectively handed the keys to a Pandora’s box of societal harm.
A COLLECTIVE SOLUTION: BECAUSE POINTING FINGERS WON’T HELP
This isn’t just an individual problem—it’s a societal one. To combat it, a multi-pronged approach is needed:
- Parental Vigilance: Parents must monitor their children’s online activities, setting limits and fostering open communication to detect early signs of addiction.
- Education and Awareness: Schools, colleges, and community centers should launch awareness campaigns highlighting the dangers of online gambling. Appointing counselors to support affected individuals is equally crucial.
- Religious and Social Institutions: Sermons in mosques and discussions in community centers can focus on the moral, social, and financial consequences of gambling.
- Government Action: The government must enact strict regulations to control online gambling platforms. Heavy penalties for illegal gambling activities, coupled with accessible helplines and rehabilitation centers, can deter potential addicts and support those already trapped.
THE COST OF IGNORANCE
If ignored, this epidemic threatens to rob Kashmir of its greatest asset: its youth. Known for their resilience, intelligence, and creativity, many young Kashmiris are at risk of squandering their potential. Their dreams of building careers, supporting families, and contributing to society are being replaced by an addiction that leaves nothing but devastation in its wake.
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW
Online gambling isn’t just a harmless pastime; it’s a societal scourge demanding immediate attention. The consequences of inaction are too dire to contemplate: broken families, tarnished reputations, and a community in decline.
The solution lies in collective effort. Parents, educators, religious leaders, and the government must work together to curb this menace. Through education, regulation, and rehabilitation, we can steer our youth away from this dangerous path and toward a brighter future.
After all, as the poet aptly said:
“Individuals shape the destiny of nations;
Each person is a star in the constellation of a community.”
The choice is ours: Do we let our stars fade into darkness, or do we guide them toward the light?
Peerzada Masarat Shah is a well-known writer and the editor of the weekly newspaper Barwaqat, offering insightful commentary on the socio-political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.