If gambling stops being fun, we want to help
Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or solve a problem. If it has become either, here are the people you can talk to and the tools that work.
National Responsible Gambling Programme · 24/7 toll free helpline
Signs that gambling is becoming a problem
Most people gamble responsibly. Some do not. The line is rarely obvious from inside it. Here are the most common signs that gambling has stopped being recreation:
- Spending more on gambling than you planned, more often than you planned.
- Chasing losses with bigger bets to “get back to even”.
- Lying to family, friends or partner about how much you have lost.
- Borrowing money, selling possessions or skipping bills to fund gambling.
- Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you cannot gamble.
- Gambling at work, late at night, or first thing in the morning.
- Using gambling to escape stress, depression or relationship problems.
If two or more of these sound familiar, talk to someone. You do not need to hit rock bottom to ask for help.
South African support services
NRGP Helpline
The National Responsible Gambling Programme runs a free, 24/7, confidential phone helpline staffed by trained counsellors. Talk to a person any time of day, in your home language.
0800 006 008NRGP WhatsApp
For text-based support, message the NRGP on WhatsApp. Useful if you do not want to call from a shared house.
076 675 0710SADAG (Mental Health)
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group runs a 24/7 helpline for the underlying mental-health side of problem gambling. They can also refer you to free counsellors.
0800 567 567Gamblers Anonymous SA
Twelve-step peer-support meetings across SA. Free to attend, fully anonymous. Useful if you respond better to community than to clinical settings.
082 308 0010Self-help tools every SA operator must offer
Every SA-licensed casino, sportsbook and Lucky Numbers operator is required to provide these tools in your account. Use them. They work.
- Deposit limits: set a maximum daily, weekly or monthly deposit. Once set, an increase usually requires a 24 to 48 hour cooling-off period.
- Loss limits: some operators let you cap the total losses in a period before the account is locked.
- Time limits: set a maximum session length. The site auto-logs you out at the cap.
- Reality checks: a pop-up that appears at fixed intervals reminding you how long you have been playing and how much you have wagered.
- Cool-off: a temporary pause (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days) where the account is locked. Useful for short breaks.
- Self-exclusion: permanent or long-term lockout (6 months, 12 months, indefinite). The operator must close your account and refund any balance.
Healthy gambling rules of thumb
- Set a budget you can afford to lose, and stop when you hit it.
- Never gamble with money meant for rent, food, school fees or bills.
- Never gamble to solve a financial problem.
- Never gamble while drunk, high, or emotionally distressed.
- Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen for at least 10 minutes every hour.
- Keep gambling as one of several leisure activities, not the only one.
- If you win big, take a meaningful chunk off the table before gambling more.
- Talk about it. Hide a hobby, never a habit.
Help for someone else
If you are worried about a partner, parent, sibling or friend, call the NRGP helpline (0800 006 008) anyway. They run support for the people around problem gamblers, not just for the gambler themselves. SADAG offers similar support.
Be specific about what you have noticed. Avoid blame language. Offer to go with them to the first counselling session. Recovery starts with the conversation.
Under 18s
Online gambling is illegal in South Africa for anyone under 18. Every operator we list runs KYC age verification. If you are under 18 and reading this page, please close it.