Responsible Gambling South Africa
Resources, tools and support for safer betting. Whether you are checking in on your own habits or helping someone close to you, this page covers warning signs, practical tools and how to get help.
Know the warning signs
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Common warning signs include:
- Spending more time or money betting than you intended
- Chasing losses - placing larger bets to recover previous losses
- Neglecting work, family or personal responsibilities due to betting
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund betting
- Hiding betting activity from family or friends
- Feeling restless or irritable when not betting
- Using betting to escape stress, anxiety or difficult feelings
See our full guide: Problem Gambling Warning Signs
Tools available at licensed SA bookmakers
All licensed South African bookmakers are required by their provincial gambling board to provide responsible gambling tools. These typically include:
Deposit Limits
Set a daily, weekly or monthly cap on deposits. Reducing a limit takes effect immediately. Increasing requires a cooling-off period.
Cooling-Off Periods
A temporary suspension of betting activity ranging from 24 hours to 30 days. Useful for short breaks without full self-exclusion.
Self-Exclusion
A voluntary ban from a specific bookmaker or multiple bookmakers. Duration can be from 6 months to permanent. See our self-exclusion guide.
Reality Checks
Session time reminders that display how long you have been logged in and how much you have wagered during that session.
Getting help
If gambling is causing problems in your life, these organisations provide free support:
SA Responsible Gambling Foundation
Helpline: 0800 006 008 (free, 24/7, multilingual). Online chat and face-to-face counselling referrals also available. Website: responsiblegambling.co.za
Gamblers Anonymous South Africa
Peer support groups following the 12-step recovery model. Meetings available in most major South African cities. Website: gamblersanonymous.org.za
FAMSA (Families South Africa)
Provides counselling for families affected by problem gambling. FAMSA has offices across South Africa and can refer to specialist gambling treatment programmes.
For family members
Gambling problems affect families, not just individuals. If a person close to you is showing signs of problem gambling, you can call the helpline for yourself even if they are not ready to seek help. Counsellors can advise on how to approach the conversation and where to find specialist support. See our warning signs guide for practical steps.
Frequently asked questions
The SA Responsible Gambling Foundation operates a free, confidential helpline at 0800 006 008, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The line is staffed by trained counsellors and is available in multiple South African languages.
Log in to your account and navigate to 'Responsible Gambling', 'Account Settings' or 'Safer Gambling'. Select 'Deposit Limits' and set a daily, weekly or monthly limit. The limit takes effect immediately. Increasing a limit is subject to a cooling-off period.
A cooling-off period is a temporary break from betting, usually ranging from 24 hours to 30 days. You set it through your account settings. During the period you cannot place bets or make deposits at that bookmaker. It is a useful tool for short-term breaks without committing to full self-exclusion.
The National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) is a government-mandated initiative funded by gambling operators. It provides education, treatment, prevention and research on problem gambling in South Africa. Funded services include counselling, helpline operation and school programmes.
Yes. The SA Responsible Gambling Foundation helpline (0800 006 008) is for both people experiencing gambling harm and their family members and friends. Counsellors can provide advice for concerned family members including information on how to encourage a person to seek help.