LottoStar introduces free professional counselling for bettors
Players can get support and treatment for problem gambling, addiction or emotional strain, all without having to leave the site.
South Africa.- LottoStar has introduced a comprehensive professional counselling program for players, becoming the first betting company in South Africa to do so.
The initiative allows users to connect with qualified mental health professionals trained in betting addiction directly on the platform, removing the need to seek external resources or referrals. Players can get support and treatment for problem gambling behaviours, addiction or emotional strain, all without having to leave the site.
The service is free for all registered members, and strict confidentiality protocols are in place to safeguard users’ privacy and trust. In addition to the live counselling, the program also comes with a self-assessment questionnaire that allows players to assess their gambling behaviour and make informed decisions. If the self-assessment reveals concerning patterns, a player can use the cooling-off feature to self-exclude for a short time or permanently deactivate their account.
With its in-house counselling solution, LottoStar has pioneered a new approach to operator-led responsible gaming initiatives in South Africa. The platform breaks away from the traditional industry model that relies on third-party helplines and basic harm prevention tools.
A LottoStar spokesperson said: “Responsible betting has never just been a box to tick for us. It’s a commitment. A promise to our players that we care just as much about their well-being as we do about the games they love.”
The program comes at a critical period in South Africa where the rapid growth of online gambling is sparking increased concerns about its social impact, particularly regarding problem gambling and addiction among vulnerable populations.
According to a recent report released by Perpetua, problem gambling prevalence has increased fivefold to 31 per cent between 2017 and 2023, with 21 per cent of problem gamblers unemployed and 84 per cent earning under R15,000 (€728) per month.
