Gambling Responsibly in South Africa

Know what is legal before you play

Responsible gambling starts with knowing the rules where you live. Section 11 of the National Gambling Act, 2004 makes unauthorised interactive gaming unlawful. In practice, online casino-type games such as slots and roulette are prohibited in South Africa. The exception is online betting through a licensed bookmaker.

The legal modes of gambling are casinos, bingo, betting and limited payout machines. They are only fully legal when the operator holds a licence from a Provincial Gambling Board and the player is over 18. No one under 18 may gamble.

Before using any betting site, check it yourself:

• Look for licensing details on the site's home page. Licensed online operators display them there.
• Compare the operator name with the National Gambling Board's verified operators list.
• Treat any offshore site not licensed in South Africa as operating unlawfully.

The legal status of casino-style games on licensed betting sites is disputed between regulators. If you are unsure, stay with land-based venues and licensed sports or horse racing betting.

Setting money limits

Decide on a gambling budget before you play, never during a session. Use only money left over after rent, food, transport, debt payments and savings. Think of it as the cost of entertainment, not a way to earn.

Here is an example only. Suppose R15 000 comes in each month and essentials take R13 500. That leaves R1 500. You might set aside R300 for gambling and protect the rest. Once the R300 is gone, you stop until next month.

A few habits make limits stick:

• Never borrow, use credit or dip into savings to gamble.
• Do not chase losses. Trying to win back money usually means losing more.
• Keep winnings separate and do not automatically put them back in.
• Write down every amount you spend, including small ones.

The budget planner on this page lets you enter your income and costs to see what is realistically left for leisure.

Setting time limits

Time and money are linked. The longer you play, the more you tend to spend. Set a start and end time before each session and use a phone alarm as a reminder.

Take regular breaks away from the game. Avoid gambling when you are tired, stressed, upset or have been drinking. Keep gambling as one activity among many, alongside family, friends, sport and rest.

Warning signs to take seriously

Gambling problems often grow slowly. Be honest with yourself if any of these sound familiar:

1. You spend more money or time than you planned, often.
2. You gamble to escape worry, loneliness or low mood.
3. You hide gambling from family or lie about losses.
4. You borrow money, sell belongings or miss bills because of gambling.
5. You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut back.
6. You keep returning to win back what you lost.

One or two signs are a reason to pause and talk to someone. Several signs together suggest it is time to get support.

Self-exclusion in South Africa

Self-exclusion means asking to be barred from gambling. To do this, approach your gambling operator and ask its security department to exclude you. The operator then submits the forms to the Provincial Licensing Authority and the National Gambling Board for record keeping.

After you self-exclude, you can contact the SARGF National Responsible Gambling Programme. Self-exclusion counselling sessions are free. The National Gambling Act also contains a section on excluded persons.

Draft amendments have proposed letting people apply directly to the National Gambling Board for a national register of excluded persons. These proposals are not confirmed as final, so use the operator route for now.

Free help and support

You do not need to wait for a crisis to ask for help. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) offers free, confidential counselling, assessment and referral to treatment. Its services include telephone counselling, outpatient and inpatient treatment, all free of charge.

If someone close to you is struggling, you can call the SARGF line too. Talking early often makes change easier.