South Africa is facing an alarming rise in online gambling that is destroying lives and draining billions of rands from families and the economy. <\/p>\n
Experts warn that unless lawmakers strengthen regulation, the scourge could spiral out of control.<\/p>\n
A former gambling addict, whose habit eventually led to imprisonment, said he learnt the hard way.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ | Mother and son kidnapped in social media scam<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt didn\u2019t happen overnight; it was a gradual descent into hell. I was oblivious to the direction I was taking. It started with small bets and wins, then grew with the amounts I spent and the losses I incurred.<\/p>\n \u201cWe lie, we cheat, we steal, we connive, and eventually we hit rock bottom,\u201d he told Gamblers Anonymous, a non-profit that supports victims of gambling addiction and their families.<\/p>\n I now have the strength, faith and courage to face life and its challenges head-on without a crutch. It has also improved my relationship with my family. I had to show them that they could trust me again, one of the hardest things to do.<\/p>\n The explosion of online betting has been fuelled by convenience. <\/p>\n ALSO READ | Northdale woman accused of duping dozens in Bitcoin scam<\/a><\/p>\n Gamblers no longer need to leave home \u2014 betting is just a click away, feeding compulsive behaviour.<\/p>\n Responsible gambling expert Farah Jassawalla said the removal of barriers such as travelling to a casino has led to longer gambling sessions and higher spending.<\/p>\n The convenience of online betting means people might feel the urge to gamble far more frequently. This can result in rash financial decisions, especially since they don\u2019t even need cash on hand.<\/p>\n \u201cOnline casinos take digital payments, so one may lose track of spending. This is particularly risky with credit cards, where gamblers may wager money they don\u2019t have,\u201d said Jassawalla.<\/p>\n She said studies suggest online gambling can be more addictive than traditional casino gambling because of its accessibility.<\/p>\n ALSO READ | Seafood scam suspect arrested in R10 000 fraud case<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe bottom line is that online gambling poses a serious enough risk of addiction for us to consider it an active danger.\u201d<\/p>\n Jassawalla added that online gambling often leads to social isolation, concealing the time people spend betting. <\/p>\n Casino gambling is highly social \u2014 whether it\u2019s poker or horse racing, there\u2019s a thrill in playing alongside others.<\/p>\n \u201cOnline gambling removes that element. People end up alone in their homes, playing game after game, and their peers may not realise how many hours they are spending. In that way, online gambling hides the scale of the problem,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n ALSO READ | Anime fans targeted in cyber scams<\/a><\/p>\n The National Gambling Board (NGB), together with the Provincial Licensing Authority and law enforcement agencies, has stepped up its fight against illegal online gambling.<\/p>\n \u201cThis follows growing concern over unlicensed gambling websites and platforms targeting South Africans, often without regard for the law or consumer protection. The NGB warns the public against taking part in unlawful online gambling, which poses serious risks including fraud, unfair practices and no recourse in disputes,\u201d said acting chief executive Lungile Dukwana.<\/p>\n \u201cOnline gambling is unlawful and unacceptable. Through targeted enforcement, inter-agency cooperation and public education, we are protecting South Africans from gambling harm, unfair operators and illicit financial flows.<\/p>\n ALSO READ | Msunduzi warns of scammers impersonating officials<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOur commitment is clear: ensuring that gambling in South Africa remains safe, fair and licensed,\u201d Dukwana added.<\/p>\n The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) launched the KwaZulu-Natal leg of its Taking Risks Wisely schools programme earlier this year to address rising levels of child gambling.<\/p>\n Executive director Sibongile Simelane-Quntana said many pupils are first exposed to gambling through informal activities such as zwepe (a coin-spinning game), dice, cards or betting on games like lud.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough gambling is illegal for under-18s in South Africa, many young people still find ways to gamble, especially online. The Taking Risks Wisely initiative is designed to educate learners and vulnerable groups about the dangers of illegal gambling and its consequences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n