The National Gambling Board says it has found that those
between the ages of 25 and 34 are gambling the most.
The board recently told Parliament that the total
gambling turnover for the 2024/25 financial year reached R1.5 trillion.
November is Gambling Awareness Month in South Africa.
Lebogang Seoheng,
who is with the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation says more and
more people are seeking help for addiction.
“We had successfully referred in 2023/24 financial
year 2 662 people seeking help for counselling and treatment. In the
financial year 2024/25 we saw 4 166, a 55% increase of people calling in for
help because they are having problematic gambling.”
ALSO READ: Parliament debates SA’s ‘gambling addiction crisis’
Gambling researcher, Thelma Oppelt says many apps have
integrated unregulated interactive gambling components.
“For example, a virtual casino and that falls
outside of our current law. So, for the person who is on a legal side, they are
not going to be able to see that here is an illegal game piggybacking on my
legal site. That’s actually been how the tech guys have outwitted the
legislation”, says Oppelt.
A 23-year-old, who has asked not to be named, has
explained why some young people choose to gamble.
“It could either be for buying groceries, buying
alcohol or buying takeway. It’s just an easy and quick way for them to get cash
for whatever they need or want at that moment.”
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