Responsible gambling: tools & South African support

Gambling should be entertainment, never a way to make money or escape stress. If it stops being fun, help is free, confidential and available 24/7 in South Africa.

Set your limits before you play

• Deposit & loss limits — decide a budget you can afford to lose and stick to it. Most casinos let you set daily/weekly limits.
• Time limits — set a session timer; take regular breaks.
• Never chase losses — trying to win back money is the fastest route to bigger losses.
• Don't gamble on credit — only ever play with money you already have.
• Self-exclusion — you can ask an operator to block your account for a set period, and the NRGP runs a self-exclusion programme.

Warning signs to watch for

It may be time to step back if you: spend more than you planned; borrow money or sell things to gamble; lie about how much you gamble; feel anxious, irritable or low when not playing; or chase losses. Recognising these early makes them far easier to address.

Free support in South Africa

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services.