To establish the Relationship between Sports Betting and Youth Intrapersonal Conflicts in Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County, Kenya

While the gambling industry has brought with it employment and revenue in Kenya, it has also contributed to challenges such as mental health problems especially among the youth which are rampant throughout the country. The study thus sought to establish the relationship between youth betting and interpersonal conflicts such as depression among the youth of Ruiru Sub County. The specific objectives were to establish opinions of youth on sport betting, to determine betting factors that contribute to intrapersonal conflict and to determine youth opinion on existing legislation on reduction of sport betting. The study used a descriptive research design. The study targeted a sample size 283 youth who live in Ruiru. This study utilized probability-based sampling technique: stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was the primary data collection instrument. The result of the study on opinion of youth on the sporting showed that football 82% was the most preferred via betting shops 44% with 51.2% of the respondents spending 3-5 hours betting whilst the most used betting site was Sportpesa 54.4%. On betting factors that contribute to intrapersonal conflict, technological availability 90%, advertisement 81% and access to money 87% were most noted betting factor which contributes to relationship problem, illegal acquisition of money and psychological issues such as depression. On opinion on the existing legislation on reduction of sport betting, most 76% of the respondents said that there was no effective legislation control. Therefore, the study recommends that Non-government organizations, County government and local administrators should work to push for a proper legislative framework and create awareness targeting the youth on the effects of betting activities.