In an effort to combat the growing concern around gambling habits countrywide, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) visited Stellenbosch schools as part of its Taking Risks Wisely schools programme.
According to Tumelo Mokoena, advocacy and communications assistant manager for SARGF, many young South Africans who find themselves addicted to gambling had a history of gambling as children.
“Addiction is not something that happens overnight. We find that many gamblers between 18 and 20 years, who are seeking help, took part in illegal activity as children. Kids do not realise games like bingo, spinning coins or playing marbles for money is illegal gambling. This is why we are reaching out to learners to warn them that gambling is only for someone 18 years or older,” Mokoena explains.
The SARGF team along with representatives of Hollywoodbets visited Cloetesville, Kayamandi and Makapula secondary schools, among others, as part of a campaign in the province.
Luyanda Yende, CSI coordinator for Hollywoodbets, says the Hollywoodbets Foundation wants to break the view that the business is simply out to get more and more South Africans to gamble their monies away.
“We work with many schools and community organisations to help address the great need that many communities face. Hollywoodbets receive many applications for assistance with everything from stationery to helping learners who can’t afford school uniforms. We also help with feeding schemes and have donated sport equipment and kits to various Stellenbosch schools this week,” she explains.
According to the national gambling statistics drawn up by the National Gambling Board of South Africa (NGB), South Africans spent R1,1 billion on gambling during the 2023-’24 financial year. InfoQuest, a South African online research company, conducted a survey with 300 gamblers last year and found playing the lottery is the most popular form of gambling. This is followed by online gambling at 62% and sports betting (55%). The SARGF says young people who gamble illegally also gamble online.
InfoQuest found that 25% of gamblers say they do so in the hopes of winning much needed extra money, while 23% indicate that they hope for a lucky break and 21% gamble in the hopes of a big payout to change their family’s life.
“Decisions you make now can have a lasting effect when you are older. There are rules when it comes to gambling and doing so before you are 18 years old is illegal,” Nhlosenhle Sibiya of the SARGF warned learners of iKaya Primary on Friday (23 May).
Sibiya warned learners to wait until their frontal lobes are fully developed before trying to gamble, as playing on slot machines and bingo may feel innocent and entertaining but could lead to addictions beyond merely gambling.
According to Mokoena the risky behaviour that illegal gambling creates can later spill over to substance abuse. “Gambling in itself is not a problem. It is when an addiction is formed that we find people borrowing or stealing money to gamble or locking their children in vehicles when they are at casinos,” she explains.
“It may even escalate to alcohol abuse or drugs when you are battling to sleep or experienced many losses. This is why we offer free counselling and treatment to help.”
Mokoena adds that people can also reach out to SARGF if they have a friend or family member they suspect may have a gambling addiction.
• For more information about SARGF and the help on offer, visit www.responsiblegambling.org.za or call 0800 006 008.
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