ABOUT PLAY RESPONSIBLY

What is playResponsibly.co.za?

playResponsibly.co.za is an industry-funded campaign that promotes responsible gambling through distribution of educational materials and free partner branded sport kits, weekly street-to-street outreach, monthly workshop, traditional and online media awareness and strategically visible OOH ads in townships and cities. We believe that collaborative efforts among key stakeholders in the gambling industry in South Africa can mitigate some of the adverse psychological, physical, economic, social, and legal outcomes of problem gambling.

The PLAY RESPONSIBLY campaign aims to foster a culture of responsible gambling in South Africa. By educating the public, promoting regulators’ support services, and partnering with betting companies for socioeconomic impacts. The campaign seeks to mitigate the negative impacts of gambling and promote a safer, more enjoyable gambling environment in townships and cities. Betting companies’ support for this initiative has been instrumental to its success, ensuring the well-being of their customers and the sustainability of the industry.

Together with licensed betting and gambling companies, the campaign aims to educate gamblers about the potential risks associated with gambling, provide resources for responsible gambling, and offer support for those struggling with gambling addiction. By doing so, the campaign seeks to create a safer and more sustainable gambling environment through partnership and support of all the major industry brands and other stakeholders – public, private and non-profit sectors.

Gambling means that you’re willing to risk something you value in the hope of getting something of even greater value.

Gamblers wagered R4.6 billion in South Africa in 2021.

Do You Love Betting? Play Responsibly. Say no to gambling addiction.

Responsible gambling is not only about protecting individuals but also about ensuring a balanced and ethical approach to gambling across the country.

The social impact of gambling can range from productivity loss, bankruptcy, crime, suicide, illness, abuse, divorce and separation, social services and treatment costs.

According to National Gambling Board’s report ‘The Social Impact of Gambling in South Africa – Qualitative perspective’, Under-age gambling is widespread, shaped by class, culture and geographic location. Whatever the form, it needs to be seriously monitored.

Businesstech.co.za recently reports – Money placed on sports bets in South Africa has skyrocketed over the past several years, reaching R420 billion in 2023.

At the end of FY2022/23, R815.1 billion was wagered in the entire South African gambling industry—more than the budgets of the peace and security, health, and community development clusters combined.