ALGA and NSFAS unite to tackle student gambling in South Africa
The programme will feature on-campus workshops, dialogues and outreach sessions designed to encourage informed decision-making and reduce harm associated with gambling behaviours.
South Africa.- The African Lotteries & Gaming Association (ALGA) has partnered with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to implement its 2026 “risk to responsibility” campaign, targeting problem gambling behaviours among tertiary students. The partnership underscores growing concern within South Africa’s gambling industry over the diversion of student funds to betting activities, particularly through online platforms.
Musa Mngadi, ALGA Chief Executive Officer, noted that the campaign will leverage joint efforts with key stakeholders, including financial institutions, state-owned entities such as NSFAS and academic institutions, to champion responsible gaming and corrective behaviour among students. In a recent interview with Focus Gaming News, Mngadi emphasised that institutional collaboration and the protection of young people underpin the campaign’s objectives.
The campaign, set to be rolled out across South African universities and technical colleges, will deliver curated activations that combine awareness raising, education and wellness activities. It aligns with broader industry efforts, including the recent partnership between NSFAS and the National Gambling Board, which seeks to protect student allowances intended for tuition, accommodation, meals and essential living costs from being spent on gambling.
The programme will feature on-campus workshops, dialogues and outreach sessions designed to encourage informed decision-making and reduce harm associated with gambling behaviours. ALGA has also expressed its intention to collaborate with the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) to strengthen the campaign’s impact and reinforce industry-wide responsible gaming commitments.
