November - Responsible Gambling Month in South Africa

November is always Responsible Gambling Month in South Africa. Regulators, gambling businesses, mental health advocates, and both government-run and private-run addiction clinics try to combat illegal and irresponsible gambling during this time of the year. Additionally, they focus on promoting safe, responsible gambling behavior instead. 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to most readers that gambling can be addictive. While some simply enjoy wagering money on the outcome of a sports match or casino games, others gamble for social interaction, the thrill of risk, or the potential for financial gain.

A minority of players and punters become so-called ‘’problem gamblers.’’ According to the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, about 2.7% of the population is labeled as problem gamblers. Added to this, about half of this population (1.5%) is considered ‘’pathological or compulsive gambler.’’

As it is important to know that irresponsible gambling can lead to financial, relationship, and social problems, we would like to highlight some crucial aspects of responsible gambling in this article. In our opinion, gambling should be a source of enjoyment and done as an occasional leisure activity, not to try to make a living. 

The Rise in Popularity of Online Gambling in South Africa 

Just like in many other countries, online gambling has become increasingly popular in South Africa over the last couple of years. This is most likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased broadband penetration in the country. Additionally, more and more online casinos actively target South African players, and online sports betting is becoming increasingly popular among South Africans as well.

Technically, online gambling is still mostly unregulated within the country, and some malicious actors make use of this. For this reason, it is crucial to read our honest, in-depth casino reviews before signing up and depositing funds.

The rise in popularity of online gambling in South Africa also comes with downsides, such as increased addiction numbers and gambling-related advertisements. As we want our visitors to gamble as responsibly as possible, our experts have outlined some preventive measures you can take yourself to protect yourself from the risk of possibly becoming addicted to gambling.

Controlling Your Gambling

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose; don’t borrow money to gamble, and monitor the time and amount of money spent on your gambling activities. Ensure you always understand your odds of winning and the rules of the game(s) you want to play. In case you need a break from gambling, consider self-excluding. 

Making Use of Limits

Use the various limits you can set for your online casino accounts, such as deposit, wager, loss, and playtime limits. If you don’t want to play somewhere anymore, consider self-excluding or requesting a time-out or cooldown period. 

Gambling Addiction - The Numbers This Year

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) assessed 78,258 phone calls during the 2023/2024 financial year. 2,662 were referred to therapy sessions. Of these referrals made, 1,695 were adults, 787 were youth, 116 were elderly, 3 were minors. 472 were unemployed, 396 were self-employed, and 90 were students. 

These numbers show that problem gambling can affect anyone in society, regardless of income, socioeconomic background, age, or status. As the SARGF celebrates its 20 years of existence this year, it will provide industry-funded problem gambling treatment and counseling. 

Conclusion

Knowing that both online gambling popularity and gambling addiction are on the rise in South Africa should ensure you gamble responsibly to avoid becoming a problem gambler. You can read more about responsible gambling or consider contacting the SARGF through helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za or by calling 0800 006 008 in case you might be developing a gambling addiction.