North West Gambling Board gets provincial recognition for illegal gambling awareness
The MEC encouraged the gambling regulator to take its awareness campaigns to more educational institutions and young people.
South Africa.- The North West Gambling Board (NWGB) has received recognition from the provincial government for its efforts to raise awareness about illegal gambling in the province. The acknowledgement came from Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism MEC Bitsa Lenkopane during an engagement with the department’s state-owned entities (SOEs) at Bakgatla Resort in Pilanesberg on Thursday, September 17.
Lenkopane said the NWGB’s work in raising awareness about illegal gambling contributes to the province’s regulatory and public education efforts. However, she urged the Board to extend the awareness drive to universities and other institutions where it can reach more young people.
The commendation comes as the NWGB steps up its responsible gambling education among young people and communities. In August, the Board launched its first Responsible Gambling Soccer Tournament for high schools across the province, using the competition to raise awareness of underage gambling and promote responsible gambling.
The Board has also taken its awareness work into communities through the Thuntsa Lerole accelerated service delivery programme. Earlier this month, it joined DEDECT and other provincial units for an outreach in Khunwana Village, where residents received information on responsible gambling, illegal gambling and the risks of using unlicensed operators.
At Thursday’s engagement, Lenkopane also called for closer coordination among the entities across the province’s four districts, saying they should contribute to economic development, investment attraction and job creation. The meeting was attended by NWGB chairperson Prof George Malebe and acting chief executive officer Boitumelo Qalinge, alongside representatives from other entities under the department.
