NWGB leads initiative to prevent underage gaming in Potchefstroom
With gambling continuing to grow across the country, officials believe community outreach events can reduce gambling harms and inspire more schools to join the fight against underage gambling.
South Africa.- On August 17, 2025, the North West Gambling Board (NWGB) led a joint campaign at Sarafina Secondary School in Potchefstroom aimed at empowering students to make informed choices. The event, tagged “Building Better Communities”, was backed by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the Department of Social Development, Sports, Arts and Culture, and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
While the collective effort aimed to restore moral values and respect in schools, the NWGB took the opportunity to educate students about the risks of underage gaming. The NWGB representative reminded attendees that gambling is illegal for anyone under 18 and mentioned the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF)’s free treatment and counselling services available at their disposal, including family counselling and minor intervention.
Speakers urged learners to restrict harmful behaviours and not let financial and social pressures influence their decisions. The Principal of Sarafina Secondary School thanked the organisers for the initiative and highlighted the school’s newness and aspirations to excel in both behaviour and academics.
With gambling continuing to grow across the country, officials believe community outreach events like this can reduce gambling harms and inspire more schools to join the fight against underage gambling. Last week, the NWGB partnered with the Liquor Regulations Unit to conduct a joint outreach in Rustenburg on responsible gambling and safe liquor practices.
Data from the National Gambling Board’s 2023/24 report shows that gambling-related problems have risen significantly in South Africa, with 31 per cent of people now facing issues compared to 5.8 per cent in 2017.
