NGB and NSFAS join forces to curb gambling harm among students
The collaboration responds to mounting evidence that students are increasingly exposed to gambling and, in some cases, are using their NSFAS allowances for betting.
South Africa.- The National Gambling Board (NGB) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have launched a strategic partnership to address rising gambling-related harm among tertiary students and prevent the misuse of public education funds on betting platforms.
The collaboration, unveiled on February 18, responds to mounting evidence that students are increasingly exposed to gambling and, in some cases, are using their NSFAS allowances for betting, particularly on illegal online platforms.
The agreement, to be formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), is intended to safeguard both student wellbeing and the integrity of education funding.
Research and media reports have highlighted how easy online access, aggressive digital advertising and targeted promotions have fuelled gambling participation among young people, with potentially negative effects on academic performance and financial stability.
NSFAS, which disburses allowances for tuition, accommodation and essential living costs, said its mandate is to support student success. Acting NSFAS Chief Executive Officer Waseem Carrim emphasised that when these resources are diverted into gambling, they can undermine academic outcomes and long-term financial wellbeing. He said the partnership will focus on prevention, awareness and empowering students to make informed financial choices.
For the NGB, the agreement reflects a broader regulatory commitment to harm minimisation and consumer protection in the gambling sector. Acting NGB Chief Executive Officer Lungile Dukwana pointed to the growing normalisation of gambling through social media as a key risk factor for students, adding that coordinated interventions are needed to counter those influences.
Under the proposed framework, the two bodies plan to roll out nationwide outreach and on-campus education programmes, integrate responsible gambling messaging into financial literacy campaigns and host workshops and dialogues at universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges. They also intend to share relevant information, within legal limits, to strengthen early intervention and awareness initiatives.
The partnership comes amid wider concern about gambling’s impact in South Africa. Industry analysis shows that legal gambling, particularly online betting, has expanded rapidly in recent years and now represents a dominant segment of the market. Illegal offshore operators are also believed to capture significant activity, posing risks to consumer protection and diverting economic value from the regulated industry.
By aligning regulatory oversight with student support services, the NGB and NSFAS aim to reduce gambling-related harm among young adults and ensure that public education funds are used for their intended purposes.
