Gamblers Paradise - The House Always Wins- Episode One

nation.africa
On Saturday, July 2, 2016 at around 10pm in Nairobi, a fresh university graduate, Paul Midega, sat down to watch the last football match of his life. This was the night the Euro cup semi final match between Italy and Germany was played. It was a big game pitting Europe’s giants in football.
Midega had taken out a huge bet of Sh80,000 on this game. The money was not his. He had diverted funds given to him by his elder brother to settle household bills. But Midega was sure he would return the money before anyone noticed it was gone.
He was wrong.
How does it feel to win Sh208 million? Can you imagine it?
Do you change your lifestyle immediately? Do you let the money sit in the bank for a day, a week, a month?
To more than six million gamblers at the height of Kenya's betting craze, winning the jackpot was the ultimate prize. This is where the big money is. The utopia of betting.
The Gamblers Paradise had trouble getting jackpot winners to tell us their story. Until we found Cosmas Korir, the Sh208 million jackpot winner.
In this episode, Korir opens up on the biggest moment of his life as we try to answer the question: were the wins real?

[@yonahtuwei3083]

When the mum talks, she tries to downplay the devastation of her loss with smiles, laughs and happy memories but you can clearly feel the severity of her pain in her voice. Some things you just can't hide. May God comfort her.

[@robertluvisia]

I felt that pain.

[@demlamuziq9108]

I remember the same happened to me 3 years back.i lost 95k,money that was not mine.it was tough and I also thought of commiting suicide but I believe my guidian angel was with me and didn't allow that to happen.i gathered courage and told my mother everything,my mom helped me.it took me 1 year to return the money to the rightfull owner but it took me soo much courage to face the humiliation and to accept my mistake.i am thankfull that now I a have matured from that difficult period.now I see this video of the victim,I pitty his mum 🙏

[@lwm2985]

This was so well done. I'll say it again on the reupload. The editing, shots, interviews. Everything. Top class journalism.

[@msemdu]

Grammar has been massacred. Typical of Kenyan journalists. R I P Grammar.

[@muhuradedan]

These are the kind of documentaries we need. Sio siasa daily

[@ENTERX9077]

Life of gamblers, you swear you won't bet again after a painful loss, but after you listen to the success stories of winners you get back to it!

[@cinasitary]

I actually quit gambling after a painful loss. I haven't gambled in 5yrs now

[@deewinc]

And try listen to the advice of such people. They tell you gamble what you're willing to lose. Greed is what makes gamblers lose.

[@njorogevince6259]

Betting wants alot of discipline.

[@Alex_Schar]

Me too I quit it

[@prof_emeritus_phd602]

@@deewinc Gambling is a con, very inviting, driven by Greed

[@itsjohnnganga]

The mum is eloquent and charismatic. Youthful guys lets think what psychological effects we leave to our parents when one takes their lifes

[@itgamingke]

Nice documentary the Nation. Teaching and educating Kenyans how gambling can get dangerous and dig guys into debt or trouble.

[@Motindechu]

For the first time in a loooooooong time, a captivating Documentary. Thanks Wafula, bring us back from Nat Geo.

[@bensonmaina5917]

Very insightful. The game between Germany and Italy was a quarter-final match and not a semi-final match,.

[@gidsanqwm6994]

Have read alot of comments and many people are terribly wrong... Now the truth is this the whole life is a gamble, the other truth is this, no one is getting out alive..😆 do what you have to do when you can...dont compare your self to anyone..couse haujui ata akiwa hard working with everything all planned out ka utaona hio kesho...Lets stay humble.🙏🙏

[@user1873anon5]

Mama Paul,such a sweet lady. Strong woman. Betting is a Vice,period!

[@palaciokante1836]

Betting is like marriage, its not for everyone.

[@MrBokello]

🤣 🤣 🤣

[@anthonymuriithi7957]

Advice for the punters; 1.If you can't win on a 10 ksh stake,what will make you win when you place a stake of 5000ks? Place a higher stake at your own risk. 2.Never be deceived by observing the odds.They almost likely mislead. 3.Always before you place on a bet,don't be very sure of winning. The law of probability applies. 4.Always place a stake you can afford to lose. 5.Take caution,betting can cause anxiety disorders in you.

[@marvineodidi]

Great documentary. We need more awareness on subjects such as this.

[@cantoncornel6948]

Very informative 👏👏👏 and a painful story too......the society just needs these kind of awareness on gambling and betting ...rule no 1 never ever bet with money who can't afford to lose

[@TobiramaSenju212]

Just don’t bet at all man. Trust me. It’s just not worth it.

[@johnmbithi411]

Gambling addiction is not a joke,it's very hard to quit,I was there but I thank God nliacha.

[@Leonwalter]

Glory be to God

[@kenada254]

Woooow this is an amazing documentary.. can't wait for part 2

[@boohookidscreations8003]

Winning, losing, desperation, crippling debt, this is truly the hidden addiction.

[@denniscollins3303]

I lost a very close friend of mine simon karanja Ndungu..a fully qualified nurse...RIP bro.

[@kemedere]

sorry for the loss, what happened to him?

[@abelmakori]

When I started it was all fun and I won my first big bet of ksh. 61000 with ksh. 250 stake,I started putting high stakes from 10k to 20k not winning any of them that's when knew now I'm on my losing face and I stopped betting ever since.

[@muhuradedan]

Please do another documentary about the gambling by radio stations. Ile ya "tuma 100bob kwa paybill and win 1m"

[@johnmwangi7320]

Ukiskiza Kikuyu Radio stations utashangaa. Every minute is a gambling ad

[@prof_emeritus_phd602]

Radio Citizen Radio Jambo Milele FM Radio Maisha Kameme fm

[@genshiin1]

THIS IS TRUE JOURNALISM ✊🏿🇰🇪

[@Wanderwonder254]

...one of the best docs done in Kenya

[@benstan626]

Everything is a gamble in life. Even starting a 80 k business

[@sedamarshal2371]

Stop Gambling that's the point! There's no explanation why you should gamble. Equating it to start a business is just a joke. Whether starting a business is also risky venture.

[@ChristabelCheruiyot-j6x]

I agree. Cos unawesa nunua ngombe ya 100k na ikufe bet with what you can afford just for fun

[@michaelmwangi7149]

Betting are the jobs uhuruto promised the youth.....our normal anthem.."team moja ndio ilinitoa"

[@raymondkanga]

Huh? What's wrong with you sir?

[@michaelmwangi7149]

@@raymondkanga do u feel like theas nything wrong with me?

[@mullakamauthemanhattanman1930]

😂😂😂

[@habhabit7350]

I agree with you Michael. They have failed us the same way future politicians will.

[@prof_emeritus_phd602]

Gamba Osaka, Osasuna, Juve imenitoa kwa 80k, Bayer imepigwa

[@antonyokeno5867]

Very sad indeed, gambling will ruin a generation of Kenyan families forever.

[@timothymuthiga6611]

it will not ruin anyone .play with betpawa as little as one bob or five bob .

[@furahasophie8201]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_Em2CYmbaWos0

[@gabrielabdul8372]

Betting will ruin society.

[@tallybance]

@@timothymuthiga6611 how can you make progress when betting with 1 bob? You have to risk big to make it and that's where most people are affected.

[@timothymuthiga6611]

@@tallybance i have won three times with sportpesa .my first time winning i only placed two hundred bob and won a staggering 168K .second time winning i placed 100bob and won nine thousand .third time i placed 200bob again and won 6500 bob . i might not have made it big but i am not of the opinion that gambling can ruin society.

[@prof_emeritus_phd602]

Even if he'd won this particular bet (ITA-GER), he would have still ended up with the same fate, the win would have catapulted Paul to greater Risks

[@Afrorack]

Good documentary...Next time add English captions for the parts where the interviewees speak swahili...unless ur target audience is Kenya or Tanzania and not the entire world

[@meleas8262]

Congratulations cosmas.nice investment's

[@jameskamiru2841]

this is well researched work at an international level

[@PrinceUxas]

Juuuzi nimetolewa mita na team moja ikashinda Over Time badala regulation... hii kitu iko kwa mikono ya Mungu si ati nini.

[@footballhighlights7222]

This is the same NATION MEDIA that popularized SPORTPESA across the Kenyan market through numerous advertisement on their tv, radio and print media.

[@TheTororist]

even this documentary focused more on the winner than the guy whokilled himself. almost glorifying betting

[@footballhighlights7222]

@@TheTororist facts

[@simonrimui]

I couldn't stop betting for more than 7 years, I have lost more than 1mil in accumulation. Most of the time it was just for thrill, I didn't care whether I was winning or losing only that I am gambling. Until I admitted defeat and that my luck Is not there in the gambling world. Currently, I just hate betting.

[@jeffwakamu175]

Did you try fixed games matches

[@simonrimui]

@@jeffwakamu175 hehehe fixed games, nimelipa pesa ngapi Wakisema fixed games zinaruka ajab...lakini gambling kabla u give up u have tried all sorts of angles... Talking from experience, remember.....

[@jeffrey1261]

@@jeffwakamu175 I stopped gambling. Fixed matches is a scam. It doesn't exist. The admin owns like 5 different web pages giving different possible outcomes. He wins either way, you loose most of the time.

[@collinsbuop7803]

I live in UAE& am not a Muslim but Quran emphasises men to work hard not rely on betting. Betting and casinos are banned here to force people to work. I see these alot in YAYA centre. SAD

[@Emmamusiccmb]

*NDUGU ZANGU KWA HESHIMA NA TAADHIMA NAOMBA MUANGALIE VIDEO YA WIMBO UITWAO UNIPENDAGE KWA KUBOFYA PICHA YANGU APO PEMBENI NAAMINI MTAUPENDA 🐻🐻💞*

[@jairofredrick6989]

Just bet responsibly. Stake what you can afford to loose and that’s disposable income. I have been betting since 2014 but I’m yet to feel the negative side of it. I don’t understand why someone would want to place a bet using school fees, rent or money for a valuable project. I cleared my university fee and even opened movie shop thanks to SportPesa so there’s no way I’ll say gambling is bad just do it responsibly. However I just think it doesn’t work for everyone.

[@bowdennthani732]

It's like with most things (except maybe smoking). Done right, they are fine. Beneficial even. Problem is that most people are not aware of the risks as they start. A lot of people are AWARE of the fact that it can be addictive. But being aware is not the same as being informed of the actual risks. And even then, most who know when participating will still fall for it, all the while knowing. Moreover, it is in the interest of the beneficiaries (e.g. betting companies) to fuel the addiction.

[@ronaldsello7078]

It is bad period you can not justify that. You must not lie to us pls

[@elijahkagunda8084]

This is so heartbreaking

[@carson3383]

That mum is an angel.

[@victorogalle5938]

Deep and analytical

[@josephmoseti5143]

The reason youths are taking betting as a job is obvious well known to us. Very sad story 😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪

[@pmm2014-SSS]

I do not quite agree about the upside of gambling; would want to see the long term outcome i.e. 10-20 years down the line... Having said that, I am delighted that the tragedy that is gambling is being highlighted... I hope and pray that we learn...

[@raymondkanga]

Here's the thing, gambling is meant for entertainment purposes, just like alcohol. Take excess, and you have yourself to blame.

[@Afrosanity]

Just like many kenyans i have placed bets Most important thing is do it for fun not for a living.. i never go beyond 100ksh and thats when i go high mostly its 20 ksh ..not that i dont have the money but just because its only for fun for me.

[@sheikhkelvin8650]

i am grateful to God i have no addiction of anything of sort...started gambling 2014 but somehow, i never have the urge to bet. I can even go for 2 months before placing another 50bob bet

[@josefaruq7514]

I like how we view kalees,now look at how this one is really investmenting! He will never have to work again .he need just to sit in future.

[@sageforce9306]

Mimi ile kuchomwa nilichomwa campus sitawahii rudia. Heri ninunue kikombe ya uji kwa kibanda kuliko nilishe mafisi wa sportpesa

[@PeterKivaviN]

When gambling stake what you can afford to lose. When on losing streak don't get disperate to recover. The most important thing is to know when to STOP🛑.

[@rufusnganga1118]

Great piece

[@michaelrading3871]

Great journalism. What is the name of that Luo musician?

[@jkm402]

Gambling is like alcohol.There’s very few upsides.You only enrich some few kenyan and bulgarian billionares

[@sheikhkelvin8650]

juu ya hiyo story wacha niekelee mega jackpot.

[@mwangimuiruri6132]

Mom ❤️💕♥️

[@kelvinwatoka]

That guy invested wisely the winnings

[@agentprovocateur5157]

Very poor investments in sectors that require alot of time to be profitable. please when people win this money they should just consult a LICENSED FINANCIAL PLANNER. that money is enough to make you a billionaire in 10 years. pity the guy

[@commentsthatwillannoyyou9873]

@@agentprovocateur5157 wacha wivu. No investment is bad when it brings returns and his have returns.

[@furahasophie8201]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_Em2CYmbaWos0

[@habhabit7350]

@@agentprovocateur5157 I would have invested in stocks.

[@TheTororist]

@@agentprovocateur5157 he is using his winning. bought ready made apartments, pap 1 million per month already. the hotels and the farm may take longer but he is already far better off. its not like he is investing using loans

[@corbymedia01]

POINTS OF CORRECTION!!! 1. Italy never reached the semis ! 2. Germany played their semi on JULY 6, 2016 NOT 2nd as mentioned in the documentary. 3. The reported match was a quarter final. You guys sre so inaccurate!!!!!!!

[@TheTororist]

welcome to kenyan journalism. poorly researched, articles full of spelling and grammar errors that the editor somehow missed, and false or misleading news. hallmark of 254 journalists

[@gitongakelvin4917]

Hio mziki at 5.25 inaitwa aje wadau? Sweet music.

[@ghettoinsyder]

Brian sigu-case no zero

[@awinomireri]

@@ghettoinsyder Thanks

[@furahasophie8201]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_Em2CYmbaWos0

[@victorcheboi001]

Guys dont ever think of gambling as the main source of income. Just bet as part timely and work hard to earn money

[@calvogd]

Italy vs Germay was my last bet.

[@boerandemo7766]

How much did you stake

[@calvogd]

@@boerandemo7766 I had won 3000 on sportpesa from the previous bet decided to put it all on italy

[@Urmillar]

Nilibet mara tatu nikiwin,ya nne tano na sita ikawa inachomeka i quit😂

[@peaceandlove7141]

Betting inanilipia rent na food...Cheki... betting ni kutumia akili si kuweka doo ivi ivi in short ku guess game

[@dekasgrouplimited8424]

Don't soon will u enter the second phase.

[@destroyerarmor]

But discipline is key. You can't bet your whole life, mtu huchezea Pesa kidogo kulingana na hali yake

[@johnshaq7896]

How do you win/stake

[@254collins]

Paul's mum is funny 😂

[@cleavededajao4673]

With betting there is one rule. Don't desire for alot

[@martinkinuthia1868]

Gambling is dirty ...i used to earn over 20k per day and thought life was for fools who didnt know the secrets of becoming rich without hard work, but things changed one day the games were not on my side and i lost everything ...i remember i would sacrifice food or borrow money from friends so that i can gamble and the money would be swallowed. Thanks God i stopped and started working hard i dont even like seeing those bill boards and adverts of betting firms.

[@paulnyagini]

Working hard is just half of success element you need to work smart and be lucky

[@gitongakelvin4917]

What's the name of the smooth luo theme song?

[@ghettoinsyder]

Brian sigu-case no zero

[@furahasophie8201]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_Em2CYmbaWos0

[@reginaldm838]

Bless that mum 🤒😪

[@njuenjagi4983]

Award winning Docu

[@lawrencemaweu8459]

Wow...enyewe we have a big problem.

[@abelmakori]

Another thing about betting you start being lazy, you don't want to do anything except gambling, I will advise the youths to bet with what they can lose and go to work don't be lazy.

[@mtumsitu9397]

Very sad. The Mum has strength and funny.

[@josephonyango7311]

I feel the pain for the mother

[@amagarajerome1800]

Funny thing i never bet or gamble but i try to predict out comes of many sports events and i have been right for close to 80%🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kariukij]

Siku ile utawekelea ndio utajua hujui

[@ianbirech9193]

@@kariukij 😂😂😂

[@palaciokante1836]

Usijaribu kuwekelea mkuu. Ground is very slippery

[@furahasophie8201]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_Em2CYmbaWos0

[@japhet3829]

Karibu nisahau Kubet leo

[@itgamingke]

The mother is funny 😂

[@itgamingke]

@@brianokello1353 yeah

[@furahasophie8201]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_Em2CYmbaWos0

[@GossipswithEunice]

The car was a bad investment, but the real estate a great investment.

[@Rmaunga]

What's the name of the song playing?

[@BonjourLeonix]

Brian Sigu - case no zero kzbin.info/www/bejne/pouWo3uLiN2ops0

[@Wacheezy]

They should start with closing these betting shops. So much youth are wasting their time on this vice. Such a tragedy!

[@awinomireri]

What's the name of that first luo soundtrack?

[@BonjourLeonix]

Brian Sigu - case no zero kzbin.info/www/bejne/pouWo3uLiN2ops0

[@Gusii_chief]

Sad story.... wish he would have given a thought of apologizing instead of taking his life

[@ARTCELLENCY]

Secret to betting ni uache tamaa.... Good Investment Korir

[@pandora_nature_charms2566]

does anyone know the name of the song that starts at 5:07... please

[@natukundasolomon7906]

Case no zero by Brian sigu

[@pandora_nature_charms2566]

@@natukundasolomon7906 Asante manze... Have a fab year.

[@dohjan130]

There's just two choices. It's either you're choosing God and his desires or you choose what you want and what you desire. What the SELF desires is actually called SIN. When you choose your selfish desires over God's desires you commit sin. Problem is ourselves don't know what is good for ourselves in the future because it's spiritually blind but God knows. As long as you're driven by the self it doesn't matter whether you're winning you'll always be losing somewhere. You'll always have to sacrifice something that's also important to you to gain something that you want

[@mikeamaruchelule]

So Sad 😢

[@crackingkhalif9872]

waaah how do you people bet, i once won 110k and still kept betting with 100bob and 50bob

[@smgtv858]

the sound quality keeps fluctuation....juu chini, chin, juu....yack! sound engineering kiasi wakuu, otherwise good job

[@investmania7873]

Gambling could be bad but when this guy won the money he never ran away with money nor increase the number of wives

[@kenada254]

Amazing.. wafula 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 💯💯

[@bingecommunity4509]

Nimeungua mara kadhaa🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@imagineSasa]

Hii nugu inaitwa Wafula hulipwa na Paul Ndung'u kufanya hii ujinga

[@ipetert5372]

Mathematical formula for gambling is a negative number for the player I.e. probability of winning isn't btw 0-1 but under 0. Don't play is a big win. Play with money you willing to lose

[@MrEsbon]

You clearly don’t understand probability. How can you have a -ve probability.

[@urbanstranger8840]

That bet thing i dont even know how it works and i dont even want to know.... i dont even see the fun on watching a football match behind a tv set......

[@destroyerarmor]

Gambling requires discipline and as a hobby. I prefer betpawa because I can stake 5 bob. Gambling to be rich is a failure. Chezea Pesa kidogo

[@Kmtie145]

True Stake what you can afford to loose

[@bonventureonyango64]

it was not the semis it was the quarter finals because none of the teams were in there finals in 2016. final was between France n Portugal, where CR7 won.

[@bestgeorge877]

true

[@jenniferngure1136]

Everything the Bible says we should avoid, we should do just that. Gambling is a demon out to finish the poor of the little they have. When I look at the contrast between those who bet (low income earners) and compare them to the Billionaire Directors, I clearly see exploitation of the highest level. Very sad situation. God help Kenya.

[@CHOPPASTRINGS]

This is the new cocaine.

[@the_pearl_of_Africa]

why dont you translate?/

[@osakoedward]

More than sadness, she was angry with her deceased son for taking his life.

[@jackmahero96]

I want to quit gambling. But I simply can't get myself to.

[@mawama6719]

gambling is all about greed

[@amagarajerome1800]

And we cry and curse the colonial times but look what we go and do hook ourselves onto foreign teams and sports...cry the beloved Africa.

[@NYONAMATENDE]

Stop analyzing the guy's decisions and unfortunate outcome in such a predictable manner. So many things failed him at so many levels. Suicide doesn't come like an accident. Did he try to find work and failed? Did the family pay attention to changes in mood/behavior over an extended period? What were his desires in life and within the context of the resources available to him, what options did he have aside from putting all his hope on betting?

[@joseemuzungu5868]

Am still don’t understand the subject!!

[@Yolo_the_poet]

Euro 2016 the semi final was german 0 vs france 2 nt italy jst reminding yuh