GGB CEO urges caution as Responsible Gambling Month gets underway
Dr Karabo Mbele expressed worry over growing patterns of unchecked betting, especially among younger people.
South Africa.- Dr Karabo Mbele, Chief Executive Officer of the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB), has issued a public reminder that betting should remain a source of enjoyment, not a burden, as the province joins other jurisdictions in South Africa to observe Responsible Gambling Month.
Mbele expressed worry over growing patterns of unchecked betting, especially among younger people, and pointed to available help for those finding it hard to step back. She wrote: “As the Gauteng Gambling Board, we sincerely urge all punters, young people and society at large to act responsibly when engaging in gambling activities.”
The GGB, which oversees betting operations across Gauteng under the Provincial Gambling Act of 1995, has long backed efforts to promote responsible gambling practices. These include a self-exclusion programme that lets individuals bar themselves from licensed venues and sites to regain control.
Mbele noted: “We also wish to remind the public that support is available. Those in need of help can access our Self-Exclusion Programme, a confidential process designed to assist individuals in managing their gambling habits.”
Recent national data does buttress the board’s concerns. According to the National Gambling Board (NGB), problem gambling now affects 31 per cent of the population, a sharp increase from prior years.
Among those under 35, up to half of their social grants go toward bets, often leaving little for basic necessities like food. This trend is particularly evident among young bettors who spend 41 per cent of their earnings on gambling, far exceeding their expenditure on groceries.
