A national gambling harm reduction campaign concluded a series of awareness sessions at 10 schools in the greater East London area, highlighting the growing concern around illegal underage gambling among pupils.
The “Taking Risks Wisely” initiative, spearheaded by the SA Responsible Gambling Foundation through the National Responsible Gambling Programme, ran from February 10 to 13.
It is aimed at educating pupils about the legal and personal consequences of gambling at a young age.
Masakhane Greatness Gosaganye, headmaster at Masixole High in Mdantsane, said the programme was needed as pupils were prone to peer-pressure.
“The Taking Risks Wisely programme has added value to our school.
“We have had cases where parents complained that their children are addicted to gambling, and some learners have even taken their parents’ ID numbers without consent to gamble online,” Gosaganye said.
“At least now, after the visit, our learners are fully aware of the addiction and the consequences one has to face. It has been eye-opening.” Advocacy and communications manager at the foundation, Lebo Seohong, said: “Through implementing the schools programme, we have observed that many learners are introduced to gambling at a very young age.
“It often starts innocently at home with cards or spinning coins. But the moment something of value is exchanged, it is no longer just a game, it becomes gambling,” he said. Seohong said gambling under the age of 18 was illegal in SA, however, pupils often brought the behaviour onto school premises, wagering tuckshop money during breaks.
“Some learners have told us they are able to open online betting accounts using their parents’ ID numbers. That opens an entry point for illegal gambling,” she said.
The foundation is now advocating for stricter player protection measures. Among proposals submitted to the department of trade, industry and competition are recommendations that online betting platforms move beyond relying solely on ID numbers for registration.
“We are advocating for stronger verification measures such as facial recognition or fingerprint identification, which are unique and cannot easily be forged.”
Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, executive director at the foundation, said peer pressure and exposure to a gambling culture were significant drivers of underage gambling.
“Peer pressure, access to illegal underage gambling, exposure to gambling culture, and the normalisation of risky behaviour all play a role in drawing young people into gambling activities,” Simelane-Quintana said.
She said the goal of the Taking Risks Wisely initiative was centred on harm reduction and equipping pupils with practical coping strategies.
“We want learners to understand the legal restrictions around gambling for minors, the risks and consequences associated with gambling at a young age, and the support and treatment options available to those affected by gambling addiction,” Simelane-Quintana said.
Through this programme, free and confidential counselling services are available to minors affected by gambling, with parental or guardian consent.
“This programme focuses on offering free support to young people who may be directly impacted by illegal underage gambling or the harmful effects of problem gambling within their homes,” Simelane-Quintana said.
As the foundation prepares to continue rolling out the programme in other provinces, Gosaganye said collaboration between schools, parents and organisations was critical.
“We cannot fight this battle alone. Awareness, education and parental involvement are key to protecting our children,” she said.
She expressed confidence that the campaign would have a lasting impact.
“We look forward to working across provinces and reducing the number of learners who fall victim to underage gambling behaviour,” she said.
For free confidential help, the National Responsible Gambling Programme’s toll-free counselling line is available on 0800-006-008, and counsellors can also be contacted via WhatsApp on 076-675-071.
