NOORDWESTER – LICHTENBURG - The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) will roll out the North West leg of its Taking Risks Wisely schools programme during August.
Although gambling is illegal for persons under the age of 18 in South Africa, many young people still find ways to engage in underage gambling, especially online.
The Taking Risks Wisely initiative is designed to educate school-aged learners and vulnerable groups about the dangers of illegal gambling and its consequences.
According to SARGF Executive Director, Mrs Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, many learners are first introduced to gambling through informal activities such as Zwepe (a gambling game where a coin is spun and the players bet on the coin either being on heads or tails), dice, cards and betting money on games such as Ludo.
“There are various factors that contribute to underage gambling, which differ depending on the community,” said Simelane-Quntana. “Peer pressure, access to illegal gambling, exposure to gambling culture, and the normalisation of risky behaviour all play a role in drawing young people into gambling activities.”
She emphasised that the goal of Taking Risks Wisely is to ensure that learners understand:
● The legal restrictions on gambling for minors.
● The risks and consequences associated with gambling at a young age.
● The support and treatment options available for those affected by gambling addiction.
In addition to this initiative, SARGF’s Minor Intervention Programme provides counselling services for minors affected by gambling, with parental or legal guardian consent.
“This programme focuses on offering free support to young people who may have been directly impacted by illegal underage gambling or the harmful effects of problem gambling within their homes,” Simelane-Quntana explained.
The aim is to run successful sessions across North West schools and working towards reducing the number of learners who fall victim to underage gambling behaviour.
For free confidential help, call the National Responsible Gambling Programme Toll-Free Counselling Line on 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp ‘Help’ to 076 675 071.
