North West launches campaign against underage gambling and illegal betting

The North West Gambling Board combined community education, business inspections and a youth football tournament to discourage underage betting.

Key takeaways:

• North West MEC Bitsa Lenkopane led a provincial campaign against underage gambling, illegal betting and alcohol abuse in partnership with the North West Gambling Board.
• The campaign included a community awareness walk and stakeholder engagement in Ikageng township, Potchefstroom, on October 9.
• Inspections of local gambling and liquor businesses identified one breach: a licensee’s failure to display its gambling licence as required.

South Africa.- North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism Bitsa Lenkopane has led a provincial campaign to raise awareness of underage gambling, illegal betting and alcohol abuse among communities in South Africa’s North West province. The campaign, conducted in partnership with the North West Gambling Board (NWGB), included a community awareness walk and stakeholder engagement in Ikageng township, Potchefstroom, on October 9.

Held under the theme “Your Future Matters: Gamble Responsibly, Choose Sobriety”, the initiative sought to educate young people about gambling-related risks, promote responsible alcohol consumption and strengthen compliance among gambling and liquor businesses.

Lenkopane called for coordinated action involving government departments, schools and communities to prevent children from being exposed to gambling activities from an early age. She said young people could develop the misconception that gambling was an acceptable way to make money if they began participating or observing gambling activities while still underage. She stressed that gambling should be restricted to adults and treated as entertainment rather than a source of income.

NWGB acting CEO Boitumelo Qalinge also warned that minors were vulnerable to illegal gambling and betting activities, particularly online. He urged stakeholders to educate young people about the consequences of underage participation and encourage them to share the information with their peers and families.

The Ikageng programme also included inspections of local gambling and liquor businesses by DEDECT, the NWGB and other stakeholders. The inspection identified a single gambling-related breach, involving a licensee’s failure to display its gambling licence as required by regulations. No other non-compliance was reported.

Youth football tournament

As part of the campaign, the NWGB held the final of its inaugural responsible gambling youth football tournament at Montshioa Stadium in Mahikeng on October 9. The competition brought together four district representatives: Meriti Secondary School, Tau Rapulana Secondary School, Motsemme Secondary School and Mofatlhosi Secondary School.

Mofatlhosi Secondary School won the tournament and received R25,000 (US$1,510), while Meriti Secondary School finished second with R15,000 (US$906). Motsemme Secondary School and Tau Rapulana Secondary School each received R10,000 (US$604).

The tournament used sport and educational engagement to communicate the risks of underage gambling, encourage responsible choices and direct learners towards available support services. The initiative was supported by stakeholders including the National Gambling Board, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, Absa, SunBet and Rio Casino.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• What was the aim of North West’s underage gambling campaign? The campaign sought to educate young people about gambling-related risks, promote responsible alcohol consumption and strengthen compliance among gambling and liquor businesses. It was held under the theme “Your Future Matters: Gamble Responsibly, Choose Sobriety”.
• What did inspections during the campaign find? Inspections by DEDECT, the NWGB and other stakeholders identified one gambling-related breach. It involved a licensee’s failure to display its gambling licence as required by regulations; no other non-compliance was reported.
• How did the North West Gambling Board use football in the campaign? The NWGB held the final of its inaugural responsible gambling youth football tournament at Montshioa Stadium in Mahikeng. The competition used sport and educational engagement to communicate the risks of underage gambling and direct learners to support services.
• Which school won the NWGB youth football tournament? Mofatlhosi Secondary School won the tournament and received R25,000 (US$1,510). Meriti Secondary School finished second and received R15,000 (US$906).