By Steven Godfrey Mkweteza

A twenty year old young man from Lilongwe has on Friday became the first customer to win MK174.2 million on Betpawa Aviator After putting a stake of MK500.

Speaking in an interview during the prize presentation ceremony in Blantyre, Steven Kaluba said he was overwhelmed with joy to have claim the payout.

“l play Aviator regularly but could not expect to win such amazing prize. I usually don’t bet too much at a time, just something to keep me entertained,” he said.

The lucky player said the popular crash game was ” very entertaining” adding that the win had set him for life.

“I started playing Aviator in August 2023 and have since been winning small presents. I thought like stopping it but courage kept me playing again and again,” said the bicycle repair man.

Kaluba who said he plans to support his poor family with the money, advised the youth to gamble responsibly and avoid been addicteda with the game saying betting is the game of the luckiest.

Among the activities, the winner was accorded a private jet board from Lilongwe to Blantyre where he had a lunch at mount Soche Hotel.

In a separate interview, Betpawa’s regional marketing manager for southern Africa, Bwalya Musonda said the company was excited to be involved in a life changing games for the players.

“We are delighted by this man’s impressive win. It has been a lucky streak for our customers on this game, truly asserting us as the home of Africa’s Big winners,”‘she said.

Lameck Chikoko, the operations director for Malawi lotteries and gaming Authority (Malga) emphasized on the need for a responsible gaming most especially among the youth.

Chikoko said the Authority receives many cases of addictive players mostly among the youth.

“Others even do not want to attend classes, go to work for betting. This is not good because they become addictive therefore not participating in other development activities of their lives,” he said.

Chikoko further disclosed that the Authority has put up various programs to ensure that players are controlled from becoming irresponsible gamblers.

“Among others, we have toll free lines for people to report any suspicious cases or those who need counseling to either break or stop from betting,” he said.

Betpawa is a mobile sports betting owned by Mchezo Limited which operates across 12 countries in Africa.