Responsible Gambling.
Let’s talk about Responsible Gambling.
- Have you ever wondered what it is all about?
- Responsible gambling is a program which seeks to safeguard players from developing a gambling problem, which could lead to addiction,
- Responsible gambling also seeks to reduce the potential harm that gambling can have on gamblers, their loved ones, and the larger community.
Gambling addiction can be identified through:
- An obsessive urge or compulsive behaviour to gamble despite the negative consequences
- Often also risking large amounts of money, time and personal relationships in pursuit of the excitement and potential rewards of gambling.
- Long unexplained periods of time away from home and work
- Regular borrowing of money
Some general signs of problematic gambling to look out for include:
- Finding it hard to stop gambling
- Spending too much time and money on gambling
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, not paying bills, stealing or committing fraud to fund your gambling habits
- Arguing with family and friends about gambling
- Neglecting work, school, family, personal needs or household responsibilities
- Feeling depressed, anxious, worried, guilty, irritable, isolating and withdrawing from close people and loved ones, finding it difficult to sleep and suicidal etc
How to seek assistance for gambling addiction?
- Seek professional counselling.
- Apply to the Board to be registered as a restricted person in terms of (Section 77(1), Form 26 Regulation 36(1));
- Any person can make an application in court to have one of following persons to be registered as a restricted from gambling:
- a family member
- a person on whom the applicant is economically dependent in whole or in part
- a person who is declared mentally ill by a competent court; or
- any other person to whom the applicant has a duty of care and whose behaviour manifests symptoms of addictive or compulsive gambling

