National Gambling Board warns against gambling as a financial solution
The National Gambling Board warns South Africans against using gambling to supplement income, citing rising problem gambling among young adults.Summary
The National Gambling Board (NGB) has issued a warning to South Africans, particularly those aged 25 to 34, against relying on gambling as a means to supplement income. Recent research highlights a significant increase in problem gambling within this demographic, with 53% of online sports betting participants and 55% of problem gamblers falling into this age group. The study also found that 54% of gamblers use winnings for basic necessities, while 43% use them to pay debts or bills. The NGB emphasizes that gambling should not be viewed as a substitute for sustainable employment or income. The report attributes the rise in gambling participation and problem gambling to the rapid expansion of digital access, with 92% of online gamblers using mobile phones. Additionally, the proliferation of gambling advertising and social media marketing has normalized gambling, potentially encouraging harmful habits. The NGB recommends using only licensed operators and stresses the need for broader societal and governmental interventions to address financial vulnerability and gambling-related harm.
(Source：Sunday Tribune)