If betting has stopped being fun
You can talk to a counsellor for free, anywhere in South Africa, at any hour. The National Responsible Gambling Programme runs the line. You do not need money, a referral, or anyone to tell you first that you have a problem.
National Responsible Gambling Programme
- Free counselling line
- 0800 006 008
- Please call me
- 076 675 0710
- Online
- responsiblegambling.org.za
- Cost
- Free
The line is open at any hour and what you say stays private. Family and friends can call it too, not just the person who is betting.
Four things to check before you bet
- Decide the amount first. Pick what you are willing to lose before you look at the card. Do not pick it after. A big pot is not a reason to bet more, because a bigger pot usually means more tickets share it.
- Never bet money that is already needed for something else. Rent, transport, food and school money are not betting money. If losing a ticket would hurt, the ticket is too big.
- Do not chase a losing week. Every pool starts fresh. Losing last week does not make this week's card any more likely to come in.
- Watch the total, not the win. One good payout is easy to remember. A run of small losses is easy to forget. Add up what you bet over a month. If that number is going up, that is the one that matters.
Signs to take seriously
You bet more than you meant to. You bet to win back a loss. You borrow money to bet. You hide how much you bet. You feel worried instead of entertained. Any one of these on its own is a reason to call the number above. The call is free and private, and the counsellors deal with this every day.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion stops you betting for a time you choose. Licensed South African operators run it, and so do the provincial gambling boards. Call the National Responsible Gambling Programme and they will explain how it works and which board covers where you live.
Questions
Who do I call in South Africa?
Call the National Responsible Gambling Programme on 0800 006 008. The call is free and private, and the line is open at any hour. You can also send a please call me to 076 675 0710, or reach them at responsiblegambling.org.za.
Can I stop myself from betting?
Yes. Ask for self-exclusion. You pick how long it lasts, and the licensed operator or the provincial gambling board then stops you betting with them for that time. The National Responsible Gambling Programme will explain how to do it and which board covers where you live.
Are the pools a way to make money?
No. A pool is a game of chance. Most tickets in every pool win nothing. Everyone pays into one pot, so a ticket only wins if it got more results right than almost everyone else in that pool. We make no predictions, and no page here says a pool is a way to earn.
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive. Bet only money you can afford to lose. National Responsible Gambling Programme 0800 006 008.