Responsible gambling guide

At OnlineCasino.co.za, we want you to have fun gambling online, but above all, we want you to be safe. That is why weā€™ve gone to great lengths to compile the best resources, tools and information to ensure you gamble responsibly.

What is responsible gambling?

Responsible gambling, also known as safer gambling, is when you are fully in control of your gambling habits and can enjoy playing real money casino games without risking your financial or mental well-being.

Usually, when players join a casino, they are more alert to how much they spend and set limits appropriately. However, over time, they might fall victim to problem gambling or develop a gambling addiction.

How to spot the signs of problem gambling

First, you need to recognise the warning signs associated with problem gambling. Here are things to look out for if you're concerned about yourself or a loved one:

  • Large financial debt because of excessive gambling

  • Thinking or talking about gambling constantly

  • Feeling or acting depressed, anxious and/or irritable

  • Chasing losses

  • Neglecting household responsibilities and financial obligationsĀ 

  • Lying about gambling habits to family members and friends

  • Asking to borrow money or taking out loans to cover gambling losses

  • Skipping work or other activities to gamble

  • An urge to bet more and more money to get the same thrill

  • Trying to cut back or stop gambling without success

How to get help for yourself or a loved one

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone close to you, it's essential to reach out. If you're worried about a loved one, the first step is to talk to them without being accusatory or judgemental. Show them support and offer to help them seek advice.Ā Ā 

If you're concerned about yourself, here are some trusted, responsible gaming agencies available in South Africa that you can turn to:Ā 

Responsible gambling tools at casinos

Licensed and regulated sites are required to provide responsible gambling tools for players. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Deposit limits

Some casinos allow you to set daily, monthly and weekly limits to your account to avoid spending unnecessarily. Once you reach the capped amount, you won't be able to deposit more until you've passed the set time limit.

Time out

Many top casinos offer the time-out feature, which enables you to block your account for a 24-hour, 48-hour, seven-day or 30-day period. While the time-out mode is active, you won't be able to deposit money or place bets.

Time management

With this tool, you can set daily timers that cut you off once the allotted time has passed. After the break, you will be able to gamble again.

Self-exclusion and blocking tools

Also known as a cool-down period, many casinos will allow you to self-exclude yourself from the site for a set period. You can decide how long that lasts for.

Self-exclusion and blocking tools are often software you can download onto your mobile or desktop device. However, in some cases, gambling sites allow users to set restrictions without needing to download any software.

There are several types of blocking tools available. Here are three of the most popular:

  1. 1

    Gamban

    Gamban blocks over 60,000 gambling sites and apps worldwide and is available on a range of devices. You can try it for free for seven days, and then a yearly subscription costs around R57.22 per month.

  2. 2

    GamBlock

    GamBlock works by scanning websites and blocking those sites and apps related to gambling or betting. One of the main benefits is that once installed, it cannot be removed from your device.

  3. 3

    Betfilter

    Betfilter has been tested on people with real gambling problems and works by blocking access to gambling sites and apps once installed onto your device.

Preventing underage gambling

The South African government regulates gambling and prevents underage activities. An example is the National Gambling Act of 2004. This gambling law covers all forms of betting, including the online market and prohibits those under the age of 18 (the legal gambling age in South Africa) from using gambling sites through ā€˜Know Your Customerā€™ (KYC) features.

Regardless, it is still essential to educate children about responsible gambling from a young age so that they can be accountable if they do decide to gamble once legally allowed to do so. Here are just a few ways you can help them:

  • Talking to them about gambling and the potential dangers

  • Teaching them about financial responsibility

  • Setting a good example by practising responsible gambling and not wagering more than you can afford to lose

  • Monitoring your children's online activity and installing blocking tools on devices

  • Introduce them to other healthy, fun alternatives to gambling

Top 5 tips for gambling responsibly

Our experts have compiled the following tips to help prevent your gambling activities from becoming a problem:

  1. 1

    Make sure you only gamble with money that you can afford to lose.

  2. 2

    Set both time and money limits before engaging in gambling activities.

  3. 3

    Gamble for fun or entertainment, not to earn income.

  4. 4

    Don't chase losses when gambling. Know when to walk away.

  5. 5

    Never gamble when stressed, angry or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Responsible gambling FAQs

  • You can gamble responsibly by being mindful of specific practices, like setting spending limits in advance and sticking to them. This will help you know when to walk away and prevent you from chasing losses.

  • Yes, gambling is regulated in South Africa. The National Gambling Board is responsible for overseeing the regulation in the gambling industry throughout SA. The gambling act is covered in the National Gambling Act 7 of 2004 and its respective provincial legislation. This regulation extends to online gambling, too.

  • South Africa currently has the largest gambling market in Africa. According to a study by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF), about 4.7% of South Africans risk developing a gambling problem.

  • Warning signs of a gambling problem can include borrowing money to gamble, chasing losses, risking relationships, work, or school over gambling, feeling depressed or anxious, or borrowing money to fuel gambling habits.

  • You can utilise the self-exclusion and blocking tools. These tools help prevent access to specific betting sites. You can also find alternatives to gambling and seek professional help.

  • You can visit the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation. The foundation offers a treatment programme 24/7 for those with a gambling problem.

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