{"id":118614,"date":"2024-11-24T16:48:14","date_gmt":"2024-11-24T16:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=118614"},"modified":"2024-11-24T16:48:16","modified_gmt":"2024-11-24T16:48:16","slug":"online-gambling-app-devastates-syrias-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/118614\/","title":{"rendered":"Online gambling app devastates Syria’s Youth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Rama al-Sabah<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> Amid soaring unemployment and the high cost of living in Syria, young people face significant pressures, often driving them to seek unconventional ways to secure a livelihood, such as participating in online money-making schemes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most widespread of these is “Ichancy,” a betting platform focused primarily on sports, especially football. The platform operates illegally and without formal documentation, with subscriptions facilitated through agents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, many young users become addicted to the platform, leading to mounting debts. When they fail to repay these debts, the program\u2019s enforcers\u2014allegedly connected to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad\u2019s family\u2014reportedly visit the debtor\u2019s home and forcibly collect the owed amount, according to activists familiar with these practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Ichancy”<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ibrahim al-Ali, a pseudonym for a 42-year-old distributor in Damascus, tells North Press, “When someone contacts me to download the app, I direct them to a bot containing the game link. The person registers by entering their phone number, receives a code, and then transfers money through Syriatel Cash [a services provided by a telecommunications company in Syria].”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explains, “Once registered, the user can recharge their account through us with any amount, ranging from a Syrian pounds to 10 million.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Ali notes that the game is divided into two main sections: one for betting on European football matches, where each match has a set betting rate depending on its importance, and another called the “Tree of Luck.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding debt repayment, al-Ali says, “We make users sign blank promissory notes or take collateral like gold, cars, or property until the debt is paid off.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for delivering winnings, he adds, “Earnings are either handed over in person or sent through a financial transfer,” with distributors earning a 30 percent commission on every user they sign up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profits, scams<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hussein, a 28-year-old player from Damascus, shares his experience with the platform. “After my friends repeatedly tried convincing me to download the app, promising big profits while at home, I installed it on my phone,” he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“At first, I was thrilled with my winnings,” Hussein tells North Press. “But I quickly became addicted and started losing. I ended up spending my entire salary in a matter of hours and days, borrowing money from my family and friends to continue playing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He adds, “This game is a scam that has ruined countless lives, including mine. I lost a lot of money and accumulated significant debts.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hussein recounts how he borrowed money from distributors, who later began demanding repayment, even showing up at his family\u2019s home and threatening them. His father was eventually forced to sell some of the family\u2019s belongings to settle the debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Negative impacts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fadi, a 52-year-old restaurant owner, highlights the broader negative effects of online gambling. “Many people have gotten involved in dangerous situations, thinking these games are just a way to escape poverty. But they\u2019ve ended up selling their homes, cars, or even resorting to theft and fraud,” he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recounts a tragic incident in Jableh, “Just 20 days ago, a young man shot himself in front of his wife and children after accumulating a staggering 40 million SYP (equals about $2,600) in debt due to Ichancy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The lack of parental guidance and the societal breakdown caused by the war have exacerbated these issues,” Fadi adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ubay, a 40-year-old barber, echoes similar concerns. “I have had to fire several employees because they spent too much time playing Ichancy on their phones. One of my friends even divorced his wife after losing a significant amount of money on the game,” he notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He adds, ” Another friend of mine has a son who has become completely addicted to Ichancy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muhammed, a 24-year-old from Jableh, says, “Ichancy has a tight grip on young minds. They ignore their families\u2019 advice, resort to theft to pay off debts, or sell their belongings, such as cars and phones.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He points out, “Many youths fall for the myths surrounding this game, believing it will bring them wealth. In reality, it is all an illusion, driven by the dire poverty they face.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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