Yusuf Mansur

In light of rapid digital transformation, gambling is no longer confined to physical venues or specific contexts; it has become accessible with the click of a button on a mobile phone. Although gambling in all its forms is legally prohibited in Jordan, reality indicates a growing spread of what can be described as “invisible online gambling,” particularly among young people. This phenomenon is no longer merely a legal or moral issue—it has evolved into an economic and social challenge that deserves serious discussion.

The problem begins with a simple yet profound factor: ease of access to gambling platforms. Today, a young Jordanian does not need a social network or a special environment to enter the world of gambling; a smartphone, an internet connection, and perhaps a digital wallet or cryptocurrency are enough. This transformation has made gambling an individual, isolated activity, yet at the same time widespread and difficult, though not impossible, to monitor.

But why youth in particular? The answer lies in the intersection of several factors. First, unemployment drives some to search for “alternative opportunities” to generate quick income, even if risky. Second, the rise of digital culture, in which video games increasingly incorporate gambling-like elements such as betting and “loot boxes,” a common feature in which players pay real or in-game currency for a box containing unknown rewards determined by chance, creates a gradual pathway from entertainment to gambling. Third, the indirect influence of digital advertising, which promotes lifestyles centered on quick gains and risk-taking.

The seriousness of this phenomenon cannot be understated. Economically, the World Health Organization estimates that about 1.2 per cent of adults worldwide suffer from gambling disorder, and global gambling industry revenues could reach $700 billion by 2028, driven primarily by smartphones and digital platforms. Additionally, 46.2 per cent of adults and 17.9 per cent of adolescents worldwide have engaged in some form of gambling within a single year.

In Jordan, there are no officially published figures on the size of online gambling, but we do have an important baseline: youth aged 15–24 constitute about 20 per cent of the population—approximately 2.3 million individuals out of 11.7 million in 2025.

Let us assume, for illustration, that only 1 per cent of Jordanian youth engage regularly in online gambling. This would amount to about 23,000 individuals. If each loses an average of 50 Jordanian dinars per month, the annual loss would reach approximately 13.8 million dinars. If the share rises to 3 per cent, losses increase to about 41 million dinars annually, and at 5 per cent, they approach 69 million dinars.

These figures may not seem large compared to Jordan’s GDP, which reached approximately JOD 43.7 billion in 2025. However, they become significant because they are concentrated among a financially vulnerable age group, and because a large portion of this money flows to foreign platforms instead of circulating within the domestic economy.

If these funds were instead spent locally—on education, transportation, restaurants, clothing, training, or small businesses—their economic impact would exceed the original amount due to the “multiplier effect.” A loss of JOD 40–70 million annually in youth spending could translate into a broader loss of economic activity estimated at JOD 200–350 million (based on recent multiplier studies), potentially costing hundreds or even thousands of direct and indirect jobs, particularly in small service sectors that rely heavily on household and youth spending.

Online gambling does not generate real value added within the economy; rather, it functions as a channel for income leakage abroad. Most platforms used by Jordanian players are based outside the country, even if payments are sometimes processed through local accounts, meaning that these outflows represent a direct drain on foreign currency. In an economy already facing a current account deficit and pressure on foreign reserves, such leakage cannot be ignored.

More critically, online gambling affects not only income but also economic behavior among youth: it reduces savings, increases borrowing, delays marriage (thereby contributing to social instability), postpones education or entrepreneurship, and transforms the smartphone from a tool of productivity and knowledge into a channel of financial depletion.

The shift in spending patterns negatively affects medium-term growth. Repeated losses may push individuals to borrow or sell assets, increasing household financial vulnerability. Thus, even if the visible cost appears limited relative to GDP, its social and developmental impact is substantial because it directly affects Jordan’s human capital.

The impact is more complex at the labor market level. Gambling does not create jobs; rather, it may indirectly increase unemployment by reducing investment and productivity. A young person engaged in addictive behaviors such as gambling—an addiction comparable in severity to substance abuse—gradually loses the ability to focus and work effectively, which negatively affects job performance and future opportunities. At this point, the issue shifts from an individual problem to a collective economic burden.

Socially, psychologically, and economic dimensions are deeply intertwined. Gambling addiction is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression and may lead to family breakdown or engagement in illegal activities to cover losses. These indirect costs do not appear in national accounts, but they are real and significant.

Given this situation, a fundamental question arises: Is legal prohibition sufficient? Experience suggests that prohibition alone, in the digital age, is no longer enough. Technology transcends borders, and traditional regulation struggles to keep up with constantly evolving platforms and applications. This does not necessarily imply advocating for the legalization of gambling, especially in a conservative society, but it does call for a more comprehensive and intelligent approach.

The solution does not lie in a single policy but in a mix of measures. First, digital monitoring must be strengthened by tracking electronic payment patterns linked to gambling and cooperating with technology companies to block suspicious platforms. Second, video games that incorporate gambling elements, especially those targeting youth, should be regulated and monitored. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the economic root causes must be addressed. Young people who have access to real employment opportunities and clear career paths are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. This highlights the importance of employment policies, entrepreneurship support, and expanding vocational training programs.

Awareness also plays a crucial role, but only if it is realistic and grounded in economic understanding, not merely moral preaching. Young people must recognize that gambling is not a path to wealth but a mechanism for redistributing losses and increasing poverty, often at their expense.

In conclusion, online gambling in Jordan represents a “silent drain,” one that is not easily visible but has deep economic and social consequences. Ignoring this phenomenon may prove costly, not only in financial terms but also in terms of societal stability and the future of generations.