South Africa faces a growing problem with gambling-related harm. According to a recent InfoQuest survey, 63% of players use money meant for essentials such as food, rent, or savings, and half budget for gambling as a fixed expense. Yet “Only 12% have ever asked for help. Just 7% are currently seeking it. Another 10% have thought about it but haven’t taken any steps. That leaves 67% — the overwhelming majority — who have never considered reaching out.” Financial strain and a culture of silence have left many struggling alone—until now.
Ubuntu in practice: a virtual lifeline
In response, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has launched a game-changing initiative under the Rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu— “I am because we are”—this online support group has already assisted more than 400 individuals in its first year. It shifts the narrative from solitary struggle to collective healing, tearing down walls of shame and secrecy. “Our support group is more than a resource; it’s a lifeline. By embracing Ubuntu, we remind participants that healing thrives in community,” says Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director of SARGF, according to the IOL. “The courage to say, ‘I need help,’ is met with immediate support from peers who truly understand.”
The usefulness of the internet support group
At the centre of the programme’s success is accessibility. Members communicate through WhatsApp around the clock, 24/7, enabling ongoing peer-to-peer messaging and support. Organised weekly sessions on Microsoft Teams provide structured discussion, coping strategies, and story sharing. These secure, non-judgmental spaces enable participants to share their fears, celebrate their milestones, and keep one another accountable.
Legal protections and self-exclusion
Aside from emotional assistance, the programme is well in line with South . It advocates for voluntary and third-party exclusions to bar vulnerable persons from accessing betting sites. In the 2024/2025 financial year alone, more than 4,000 referrals were processed, 902 of which were for self-exclusion. Anonymity continues to form a foundation, lessening stigma and urging the reluctant to come forward.
Early successes and impact
The impact is concrete. Numerous members now report being free of gambling for six months or longer, concentrating on mending broken relationships and restoring finances. The general sense of responsibility and peer support has been more helpful than one-on-one counselling, particularly for young adults who carry a disproportionate weight of loss-chasing and absence of control.
Learning from international experience
South African strategy draws on experience from elsewhere. In the UK, gamblers often view the assistance offered by operators as publicity stunts and do not consider it effective help. By targeting community and peer pressure, SARGF is able to overcome the cynicism that diminishes the effectiveness of self-exclusion programmes across the world. Building confidence in measures to promote responsible gambling is necessary if over two-thirds of those at risk are to access help.
Onward, responsible gambling
The statistics call for more than regulation; they demand empathy, transparency, and functional tools. Responsible gaming messages should be inextricably woven into the player experience with clear and simple guidance. Self-exclusion programmes need to be easily accessible, user-friendly, and accompanied by the assurance that seeking help is stigma-free. Education campaigns need to go beyond slogans by presenting realistic examples, budgetary tools, and stories of recovery that connect to the real lives of South Africans.
Africa’s industrial potential and accountability
As Africa opens up gambling markets, the stakes go transnational. The continent’s rapidly advancing digital connectivity and mobile-first populations provide tremendous growth opportunities. Yet, without responsibility, this potential threatens to propagate more social and economic harm. Industry leaders, regulators, and civil society must collaborate on a balanced approach—one that allows innovation in sports betting and online gaming while prioritising consumer protection and support infrastructure.
The numbers are stark, but they also point to a solution. South African players have been risking essentials, losing self-restraint, and rarely asking for help. Through its Ubuntu-inspired online support group, the SARGF has demonstrated that community-based recovery can break the cycle of shame and isolation. Only by normalising support, eliminating stigma, and designing tools that people trust can we answer the call and avert a more profound crisis—both in South Africa and across Africa’s promising gambling landscape.
