BETWEEN ILLUSION AND NECESSITY: A SOCIOLOGICAL LOOK AT ONLINE BETTING IN TUNISIA

Abstract

This article explores how online betting has become embedded in the everyday life of men in a popular neighborhood of Tunis. Based on eight semi-structured interviews conducted in a café and a nearby internet shop during April and May 2025, the study examines how economic precarity, digital technologies and local social environments shape practices that often oscillate between hope, habit and distraction. The findings reveal the central role of the smartphone, which has transformed occasional betting into a repetitive gesture. Participants see the smartphone not simply as a tool but as a permanent gateway to play, constantly available and constantly prompting action. The interviews also show that the attraction of online betting is not limited to the expectation of profit. For some, betting satisfies emotional needs such as excitement, routine, companionship or the desire to follow events and remain engaged with daily life. The research highlights the presence of a commercial ecosystem that encourages the spread of betting in working class neighborhoods. Overall, the study argues that online betting in Tunisia reflects broader social conditions marked by uncertainty, limited opportunities, digital dependency and a continuing search for hope.