Pinehas Pinehas
Playing dice with attachment to money conforms to gambling, and that normally leads to problems, Namibian Police Spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi has said.
Hence, there are by-laws and regulations to curb the negative consequences.
Shikwambi was responding to questions by this reporter, following concerns by parents and residents alike over criminal activities emanating from gambling involving dice and money.
“It is almost the same with the use of hubbly bubbly and drinking alcohol in the street, which has certain regulations, like not to be done in the street. The police will always act when the bylaws or regulations are violated,” Shikwambi said.
She continued: “Dice should be regarded as a mere game, not a money-generating activity. It indeed became risky, as disputes over the win and loss of money occur and such can escalate to violent acts. The Gambling Act may not be specific about the use of dice.”
In most communities, a game of rolling dice deemed risky has turned into an economic activity that reflects the struggles and hopes of the people playing.
“In the past, it was mostly tsotsies (thugs), but nowadays even a normal parent will go there just to hustle. It’s not just predominantly for tsotsies anymore. A regular guy can wake up in the morning and just go play dice. He sees it as a hustle. He goes there, plays, and hopes to make something out of it,” community activist Shaun Gariseb said.
Gariseb shared his observation during an open chat with this publication.
A player who preferred anonymity said, “I do repairs, especially mobile devices and technical gadgets. So, I invest in broken ones, repair them, and then sell them. I also have a daughter. With the extra cash, I buy things for her. And I make sure to deliver some things to the house too.” This game for the anonymous dicer does not seem like something that he just stumbled upon; a sense of hereditary behaviour seems to prevail as the dicer recalls.
“I’ve been familiar with the game for about 13 years now. There’s a hereditary aspect to it. Since my dad used to play and I saw it growing up, I decided, ‘Let me also try this game out,’” he said. The practice of rolling dice became more like a survival tactic for homes and families alike, though it is no secret that there are legal risks behind dicing for money.
“If I had a platform to speak directly to those who play this game regularly, I would not encourage it. It’s an addictive thing and has its negatives. One thing I’ve noticed is that whenever guys are dicing and they see the police, they scatter. The police always disrupt the gatherings. I think it’s considered illegal,” Gariseb continued.
When asked about the legal concerns behind the game, the anonymous dicer touched on a common concern of unemployment, making it seem as though the roll of a dice is more reliable than a job application. “Now, when it comes to the legal risks, yes, we do understand they’re there. But jobs are not being given out for free; what can I do?” he asked.
– kandiwapapinehas754@gmail.com