As the popularity of gaming and gambling continues to rise in Ghana, experts are calling for moderation and responsible gaming, to avert the harm of mental health crisis associated with gaming. During a webinar organized by the Gaming Commission of Ghana on 15th May, 2025, themed, ‘Promoting Responsible Gaming – Exploring the Linkage Between Mental Wellness and Gaming Addiction’, mental health professionals and experts in the gaming industry took turns to highlight the adverse impact of gaming addiction and psychological distress on compulsive gamblers.
In a welcome address, the Acting Gaming Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, revealed that on weekly bases, the Commission receives at least three (3) self-exclusion requests from players with issues of gaming addiction. He also recounted how a family was grappling with their ward, who was in police custody, over borrowing various sums of money from people to gamble which had left the family in distress. “This is to say that addiction is very real in gaming and can have devastating impacts if not addressed and handled properly. These self-ban requests are not just data points; they represent real people. And they remind us of the responsibility we carry, no just as regulators or health professionals, but as a society” he remarked. The Commissioner reiterated the Commission’s commitment not only to ensure a well-regulated industry, but to build a healthy, safe and responsible gaming environment that protects the well-being of every player.
Mental Health and Gaming
Speaking on the topic, ‘Mental Health and Gaming’, Specialist Psychiatrist at the Pantang Hospital, Dr. Maame Ekua Baiden gave a clinical overview of gaming addiction, distinguishing between its positive and negative aspects. She stressed that while moderate gaming could improve cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and stress relief, excessive or compulsive gaming could result in disrupted sleep patterns, isolation, poor academic performance, and, in severe cases, lead to anxiety and depression. “When gaming takes precedence over education, relationships, and even basic responsibilities, it becomes a disorder,” she cautioned. Dr. Baiden explained that such gaming disorder, now recognized as a behavioral addiction, is characterized by impaired control over gaming, prioritization over other life activities, and continued gaming despite negative impacts. She stressed the importance of balancing screen time with offline social interactions, physical activity, and structured time limits.
The Role Of The Gaming Commission Of Ghana
The Head of Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Jonah Asamoah-Nyarko, spoke on gaming addiction and the role of the Gaming Commission of Ghana. He revealed that the Commission received 31 self-exclusion requests in just the first quarter of 2025, compared to a total of 68 requests that came through the whole year, 2024. This he said indicated that more players were opening up about their addiction issues and their need for help. The Gaming Commission of Ghana he indicated had implemented several programmes to protect the player. These include Self-Exclusion, to enable players with gaming addiction or players who wanted to take a break, be excluded from gambling platforms. Other programmes and policies included the routine inspections and monitoring of gaming facilities by officers of the Commission, to ensure operator compliance to rules and regulations governing the industry, Know-Your-Customer verification policy to verify and authenticate the identity of players, the advertising guidelines which spelt out warning messages on all communication and marketing materials of gaming operators, among others.
Promoting Responsible Gaming: The Role Of The Operator
On the operator front, Mr. Frederick Owusu, Executive Secretary of the Gaming Operators Association of Ghana and Director of Finance and Administration at La Palm Casino, reiterated the need for players to desist from perceiving gambling as a source of income. He noted, “It’s a form of entertainment, not an investment strategy,”. He cautioned gaming players against chasing losses or borrowing to gamble. He further underscored the need for all operators to ensure their practice was of international best standards and were are duty-bound to provide in-house tools that support responsible play and protected the player from harm. “We do not encourage irresponsible gambling. Operators play a critical role in ensuring responsible gaming, including setting bet limits, enforcing age restrictions, and promoting self-exclusion,” he said. He urged the operators to implement strict safeguards, such as age verification, betting limits, no-credit policies, and self-exclusion tools and also track user behavior, to identify early signs of addiction.
International Best Practice: Perspectives from the UK
Dr. Rosalind Baker-Frampton, Clinical Director at Gordon Moody, a UK based charity dedicated to providing treatment and support for gambling-related harm noted, according to research, 42% of Ghanaian adults gamble, with the rate even higher among young people who often view gambling as a skill-based activity. However, behind this leisure pursuit she said lies a harsh reality: 96% of individuals experiencing gambling harm also suffer from at least one mental health disorder, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
Signs to recognize such gaming harm she noted included:
Withdrawal – Not wanting to join in or losing interest in usual activities or hobbies.
Distracted – Checking their phone constantly.
Changing mood – Looking worried, agitated or upset for no apparent reason.
Sleeping problems – Anxiety or constant worrying can lead to people being up all hours. Gambling online during the night could affect sleep.
Financial signs – Has money gone missing from bank accounts, or are they regularly short of money and have to borrow money?
Lying – Are you noticing that this person is lying about what they’re doing with their time.
Dr. Baker-Frampton shared experiences from the UK and indicated that Gordon Moody currently had two residential treatment centres, with another one being built. The centre she noted, used a different site for retreat and counselling programmes. Their treatment included one group session and one individual session per weekday. Clients were also made to go on group outings at the weekend, or to the gym.
Safe guarding your mental wellbeing
Complementing the insights of Dr. Baker-Frampton, Dr. Josephine Stiles Darko, a Psychiatrist of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital emphasised the importance of maintaining balanced mental health and the need for early intervention. She encouraged families and institutions to destigmatise mental illness and remain vigilant about behavioural red flags. “Mental health is not simply the absence of illness but the ability to cope with life’s stresses while remaining productive,” she said. According to Dr. Darko, mental health is for everyone and not just those who are struggling. She added that it contributes to poor outcomes of physical disorders and considerably affects overall output. She added that it is a major contributor to suicide and disability. According to Dr. Darko, it is important for people to care for their mental health and highlighted the following self-care practices:
- Regular exercises
- Healthy diet
- Sufficient sleep
- Spending time in nature
- Engaging hobbies and creative
She added that successful treatment improves outcomes of other illnesses and noted that safe guarding against gaming addiction involved more real-life interactions, replacing gaming with other activites, opting for stress relieving activites, digital detox, reduction in time spent with other gamers, as well as seeking of early interventions.
Call to Action
With mounting evidence linking gaming and gambling to serious mental health issues, experts are calling for a multifaceted response that includes public education, early intervention, accessible treatment programs, and regulatory oversight. I For those in need of help, a toll-free helpline (0800 454 545) and access to mental health support services are available.
