Bet on Life: Why Gambling Addiction Is Not a Game (as part of SDG “Good Health and Well-Being”)

On November 5, 2025, a cognitive lecture titled “Bet on Life: Why Gambling Addiction Is Not a Game” was held at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The event was organized by the Department of Religious Studies and Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science within the framework of one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG No. 3) — “Good Health and Well-Being.” The main goal of the event was to raise students’ awareness of gambling addiction (ludomania), its causes, and its impact on mental, spiritual, and social health. The lecture was attended by students of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science, faculty members of the department, and doctoral students of the “Religious Studies” program.

The lecture was attended by students of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science, faculty members, and PhD students majoring in Religious Studies. The event was organized by Prof. N. Zh. Baitenova (Doctor of Philology), Prof. K. M. Bishmanov (Candidate of Juridical Sciences), Associate Professor Zh. U. Kantarbayeva, the research practice supervisor — Associate Professor, Acting Professor M. R. Baltymova, as well as second-year PhD students A. A. Alimkhanova, U. N. Kalyakbar, and B. B. Nurgaliyev. During the lecture, participants discussed the relevance of gambling addiction as a form of psychological dependency that destroys both personality and social relationships.

The speakers emphasized that gambling negatively affects not only a person’s financial situation but also their mental well-being, fostering dependency, anxiety, and a loss of self-control. Special attention was given to the spiritual and moral perspective of gambling in Islam. In the Islamic tradition, such activities are condemned as a waste of time and harmful to the soul, weakening one’s willpower and sense of responsibility. The event took place in a warm and engaging atmosphere. Students actively participated in the discussion, sharing their thoughts and ideas on how to prevent gambling addiction among young people. According to them, such meetings help to appreciate the value of time, inner balance, and psychological health. Events like this contribute to the implementation of the principles of sustainable development, fostering a healthy, responsible, and morally conscious generation, and strengthening the spiritual and ethical potential of university students.