Responsible Gaming

Responsible gaming is the act of gambling responsibly. While gambling is designed to be a fun and entertaining activity, gamblers can fall into the trap of gambling addiction. As this article will show, this can have negative effects on one’s mental, physical and financial life. Responsible gaming is the purview of both the gambler and the casino or institution offering the gambling activities.

In responsible gambling, the gambler needs to make sure that gambling remains a fun and entertaining activity with no purpose other than that. Casinos, on the other hand, should offer gamblers tools to help them recognise and control any problem gambling that may result from playing there. There are also other organisations that can help individuals gamble responsibly as we shall see later on.

South Africa Casinos Online supports responsible gaming and chooses the safest and casinos. Learn more about our casino review process.

The legal gambling age in South Africa is 18 years old. This means that anyone under the legal age of 18 is prohibited from gambling by law. This applies to all online and offline casinos, however, there are a few exceptions. The National Lottery, football pools, and a number of non-commercial gambling activities are open to those who are 16 years or older.

Underage gambling is a crime and can result in legal action being taken against those found to be involved.

• Gambling can be addictive
• Addictions can have adverse effects on mental and physical health
• Addictions can have a negative impact on personal and professional relationships
• Gambling addiction can lead to financial problems

A report by NatCen, prepared in 2017 for the UK Gambling Commission showed that in the UK alone, there were more than two million people who either had a gambling problem or were at risk of developing one. Out of that two million, 430,000 were considered to have a serious problem. Younger age groups were also at a higher risk of developing a gambling problem.

The study showed that In the UK, as many as 63% of the population aged 16 or over had gambled in the previous year. Of those, 66% were male and 59% female. The UK’s National Lottery drew the biggest crowd at 46%, with scratch cards and other lotteries trailing behind at 23% and 15%, respectively..

The PGSI (Problem Gambling Severity Index) was used to determine at-risk gambling.

There are a number of different signs that point to gambling addiction, most of which are behavioural signs. If you or someone else you know is concerned about gambling addiction, take a look at the below questions:

• Do you feel your gambling is out of control?
• Have you noticed that you’re spending an increasing amount of time gambling online?
• Has anyone expressed concerns about your gambling?
• Do you try and win back money you have lost?
• Do you lie about the amount of time or money you spend gambling?
• Do you suffer from mood swings when not gambling?
• Have you committed any illegal activities to finance your gambling?
• Have you tried but were unable to stop gambling before?
• Are you in debt because of your gambling?
• Have you borrowed money from family or friends to finance your gambling?

If your answer is “Yes” to most of the questions above, you may need help or to talk to someone about your gambling habits. BeGambleaware offers a further confidential quiz here which may help indicate if you have a problem. You can also call

• GamCare : 0808 8020 133

Whilst gambling addiction is not a mental illness in itself, addiction is. Gambling addiction can also be a symptom of an underlying mental illness and as such should be treated with caution. Moreover, it can cause further mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression and as such should be treated professionally to avoid further harm to the individual with the problem.

The first step in overcoming any addiction, including gambling addiction, lies in acknowledging there is a problem and having the desire to do something about it. Denying there is a problem will only result in the failure of any further steps taken to remedy the situation. Therapy, including group therapy, can prove to be very helpful in dealing with, and treating, the addiction.

If you’re looking at overcoming a gambling problem, you will also need to avoid triggers and refrain from gambling in any way. Avoiding triggers, situations in which you feel like gambling, is important. This might require a complete lifestyle overhaul to avoid temptation. Professional advice and assistance can not only help but is recommended to ensure a better future.

• GamCare : 0808 8020 133

Licensed operators offer tools for players who feel they are losing control: deposit limits, session reminders, time-outs and self-exclusion.

In South Africa, the National Gambling Board keeps a national register of excluded persons, and licensed operators have to honour an exclusion.

Many online casinos offer various tools to help you control your gambling. Deposit limits are one such tool, which restrict the amount of money you’re able to gamble. Of course, restraint must be exercised at all times. Some online casinos also offer the ability to self-impose time restrictions, limiting how long you can spend playing a particular game or the length of a gaming session.

Health-checks, such as self-assessment tools and reminders, are also freely available, helping you diagnose the problem early on before any damage is done. The most important thing to remember is that you need to be the one to maintain control. However, these self-help tools can assist you by offering reassurance and help when you feel that you need it the most.

A betting calculator to help you tot up your spending can be found here >> Begambleaware

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation runs the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), which offers free and confidential counselling and treatment across South Africa.

• NRGP toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008
• Website: responsiblegambling.org.za
• Gamblers Anonymous – peer support meetings for people who want to stop gambling

You can also ask to be added to the national register of excluded persons kept by the National Gambling Board, which licensed operators have to honour.

National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP): call the toll-free helpline 0800 006 008 to speak to a counsellor. The call is free and confidential, and the counsellor can refer you to free treatment close to home.

If you or someone close to you is in immediate danger, call 10111, or 112 from a mobile phone.

Yes, gambling or betting online can be enjoyed safely when players remain in control. South Africa Casinos Online has listed tips for our players so they can enjoy casino entertainment while staying in control:

• Set a budget
• Be honest with your friends and family about your activities
• Set limits on how long and how frequently you spend online
• Never gamble under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Do not gamble if you are under 18 years old