Free, confidential support
The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation provides a 24-hour toll-free counselling line on 0800 006 008. You can contact it about your own gambling or concerns about someone close to you. Use the official support website linked below for its current contact options and treatment information. Seeking help does not require you to prove that a problem is severe enough. If gambling is causing worry, financial pressure or conflict, that is a good reason to talk to someone.
Set limits before a session
Decide both a spending limit and a time limit before opening markets or games. Only use money you can afford to lose after essential costs are covered. Gambling is entertainment with a risk of loss, not a way to earn a dependable income. Do not borrow to gamble, increase stakes after losing or keep playing to recover earlier spending. A promotion or approaching fixture is not a reason to move a limit you already set.
Notice when the pattern changes
Warning signs can include hiding spending, betting more often than planned, losing track of time, borrowing money or thinking about gambling while trying to work or rest. You may also notice irritability when you cannot play or feel that the next win will solve a money problem. A person can need support without displaying every sign. Take the change seriously and speak to a counsellor or someone you trust. Avoid trying to fix a difficult period by opening another account.
Take a break or ask about self-exclusion
Look for the operator’s account controls for timeouts, limits and self-exclusion, and ask official support if you cannot find them. The National Gambling Board also directs people to operators or provincial gambling boards for exclusion assistance. Confirm what a restriction covers, how long it lasts and any follow-up steps. Do not try to work around a cooling-off period or exclusion. Removing promotional messages and blocking access routes can support the practical decision to step away.
Age and product rules
This site is for adults aged 18 and over. The National Gambling Board distinguishes licensed online betting from prohibited interactive casino gambling. Check the current official guidance and the relevant provincial licensing information; a familiar brand or payment option is not proof that a product is authorised. Keep gambling accounts inaccessible to children and sign out of shared devices. Never allow someone else to use your account.