Ibrahim, Abdullahi, KayodeIsiaka, MonsuratYusuf, Mohammed SanusiOlatunji, AbdulganiyuIssah, Mashood2023-05-122023-05-122020Ibrahim, A.K., Isiaka, M.,Yusuf, M. S., Olatunji, A., & Issah, M. (2020): Socio-economic implications of gambling behaviour among Youth in Ilorin metropolis. Benue Journal of Sociology. 8(1); 124-137, Published by Department of Sociology, Benue State University, Makurdi.0386https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/20.500.12484/10214Qualitative researchGambling has become an endemic phenomenon particularly among adolescents and young adults in many societies in recent times. Gambling has unprecedentedly become youth’s subculture in contemporary Nigerian society. This is clearly evident from their increasing participation in gambling activities especially sports betting. It has eaten deep into the fabrics of many societies in Nigeria. Youth who are suppose to be the future leaders of tomorrow are now wallowing in gambling activities and this has socioeconomic implications. Therefore this study investigated the socio-economic implications of gambling behaviour among youth in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design using qualitative data for analysis. The study also made use of In-depth interview (IDI) and Key informants Interview (KII) for data collection. Purposive sampling technique was also adopted to select the study population. The study found out that poverty, unemployment and bad economic climate are the major reasons behind youth engagement in gambling particularly sport betting. It also revealed that sport betting has various implications such as truancy, aggressive and risk taking behaviour, poor psychological adjustment, borrowing, stealing and other serious criminal behaviours among younger population of ages 14-25 years. The study recommends that government should provide employment opportunities for the youth; government should also put effective measures in place that will regulate the betting activities of the youth and also make effective policies and programmes that will alleviate poverty in the society.enGambling; Gambling behaviour; Youth; Sports; EconomyArticle