North West Gambling Board expands underage gambling awareness campaign at girl guide camp
The session was conducted under the Minor Intervention Programme.
South Africa.- The North West Gambling Board (NWGB) has continued its campaign against underage gambling by partnering with the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) to deliver a responsible gambling education session for learners at Ratheo Primary School during a Girl Guide camp.
The session was conducted under the Minor Intervention Programme as a follow-up to the Taking Risk Wisely initiative previously introduced at the school. The programme is designed to educate children about risk-taking behaviour, promote informed decision-making and discourage participation in gambling before the legal age.
During the session, facilitators used an interactive drama centred on four chairs representing the concepts of luck, risk, chance and game to explain the difference between entertainment, probability and gambling. The presentation encouraged participants to understand that gambling outcomes are based on chance and that minors should not view gambling as a solution to financial or social pressures.
According to the Board, the performance also focused on self-worth and peer influence, reminding girls that they do not need to gamble or engage in risky behaviour to gain acceptance from others or improve their circumstances. The message encouraged learners to avoid underage gambling and the potential harms associated with developing gambling habits at an early age.
The campaign concluded with the message: “Queens don’t gamble their future, they game for fun,” reinforcing that age-appropriate recreational activities should not be confused with gambling.
The outreach is part of the NWGB’s broader responsible gambling strategy, which includes school-based education programmes, community awareness campaigns and consumer protection initiatives aimed at preventing gambling-related harm before it begins.
South African gambling laws prohibit individuals under the age of 18 from participating in gambling activities. Regulators have increasingly focused on preventative education in schools and communities, recognising that early awareness can help reduce the risk of problem gambling later in life.
NWGB said it remains committed to working with educational institutions and community partners to equip young people with the knowledge needed to make responsible decisions and build confidence without resorting to gambling or other harmful behaviours.
