SOUTH African youth are becoming increasingly more susceptible to gambling and addictions, which is prompting the government to urge students and young people to think twice before betting away money that is needed for their educations and future.

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The warning comes after the recent study done by the National Gambling Board (NGB) which identified that gambling has become prevalent among people between the age group of 18-34.

Key findings from the NGB stats

• 65.7% of respondents had participated in gambling activities in the 12 months preceding the survey, which is a sharp increase compared with 30.6% recorded in the 2017 national study.
• The highest gambling participation was among the 25-34 years old age group, the full-time employed, the tertiary educated, males, and middle-income households.
• The findings also showed that 27% of gamblers received a social grant, with half of those social-grant recipients having received the Covid-19 relief grant.

The most worrying statistic remains that 55% of problem gamblers were aged between 25 and 34 years-old, 52% of them are employed full-time and 50% were female. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation defines a problem gambler as someone who continues to gamble despite the negative consequences or impact it may be having on his/her life and has no desire to stop.

“For example, someone who continues to gamble when they are in debt or facing financial challenges,” read a statement from the organisation.

The NGB report further found that 67% of problem gamblers earned less than R9000 a month.

The personal statistics

The latest findings of the Zaka Index 2.0, which studies the forces shaping how young people earn, stretch, learn about and respond to money, helps paint a clearer picture of the growing concerns. 

The study surveys 1 544 people of which 90% are between the ages of 18-34 years-old and 22% are from KZN.

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Findings of the Zaka Index 2.0

• 35% of young people had gambled in the three months preceding the survey.
• From those who gambled, 50% said they had done so once or twice in the past three months. A further 23% of them gambled once a month, 17% did so two to four times a month, while 10% gambled weekly or more often.

Although many young gamblers reported relatively small amounts per session, the frequency of gambling remains a concern.

The index found that on average 71% of those who gambles spent R50 or less per session, while 84% spent R100 or less per session. However, 14% of those who gambled spent more than R100 per session.

Government intervention

The South African government urged students to refrain from gambling and use their financial support responsibly.

Universities, TVET colleges, student leaders, families and communities were encouraged to help raise awareness on the growing issue and help support those who have started developing gambling addictions.

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• Online gambling can quickly turn small wagers into serious financial, academic and emotional harm.
• Do not gamble money that is meant for your future. Using these sources of income for gambling can result in it being withdrawn.
• Making use of these gambling sites can lead to loss of income, fraud and potentially debt.

Warning signs of a potential gambling problem

• Using NSFAS allowances, bursaries or salary money to place bets
• Borrowing money after losing
• Lying to family, friends or landlords about money
• Feeling anxious, ashamed or desperate after gambling
• Repeatedly attempting to win back money that has already been lost.

The government has urged anyone experiencing gambling-related problems to seek help as early as possible through the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Contact the toll-free number at 0800 006 008 or email helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za.

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