NWGB facilitates wellness drive for Potchefstroom public workers
Attendees were urged to view gambling as a permissible form of entertainment, provided boundaries are respected and personal risk is managed.
South Africa.- The North West Gambling Board (NWGB) has partnered with SanPark and Stassen Debt Counselling to deliver a comprehensive wellness and awareness session for employees at the Department of Water and Sanitation in Potchefstroom.
The programme combined healthy living advice with debt management strategies and responsible gambling education. Attendees were urged to view gambling as a permissible form of entertainment, provided boundaries are respected and personal risk is managed. They were also warned of the serious consequences of unchecked or unlawful gambling, ranging from financial stress and strained family relationships to mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.
SanPark representatives highlighted the curative power of nature, noting that immersive experiences in natural settings can help reduce stress, sharpen focus and support recovery from harmful habits like excessive gambling or substance dependency.
The NWGB noted its partnership with the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) and encourages individuals battling with gambling addiction to take advantage of the free counselling, therapy and rehabilitation services of the foundation. Employees were also reminded about the self-exclusion programme, a resource available to them if they need to take a step back from gambling environments and platforms to protect their well-being.
This is the second NWGB’s responsible gambling outreach in Potchefstroom in recent weeks. On August 17, 2025, the Board led an awareness campaign at Sarafina Secondary School in Potchefstroom under the banner “Building Better Communities”. The initiative, conducted alongside government departments and the South African Police Service, addressed the dangers of underage gambling and directed young people and their families to SARGF’s support services.
The NWGB has intensified its public awareness campaigns amid concerning national trends. According to the National Gambling Board, gambling-related problems in South Africa have increased from 5.8 per cent in 2017 to approximately 31 per cent in 2024. This rise has prompted the regulator to expand its focus beyond regulation to include proactive and community-focused initiatives.
