If betting has stopped being fun, free help is a call away. The National Responsible Gambling Programme offers free, confidential counselling: call 0800 006 008, or WhatsApp HELP to 076 675 0710.
Keep it part of the game
A bet makes a match matter a little more. That’s the fun of it. Bookmakers build a margin into every price, so over time they come out ahead, and that’s what the fun costs. Bet with money you’ve set aside for it, like the price of a ticket, and it stays a good part of the weekend.
A few habits keep it that way:
- Decide your budget before kick-off, and set it as a deposit limit.
- Bet on what you know and watch, not everything that’s on.
- Treat winnings as a bonus, not a plan.
- Don’t chase losses. A bigger bet to win back the last one is the moment to stop.
- Keep it out of the heat of the moment. Live betting is fast; decide your stake before the game.
You must be 18 or older to bet in South Africa. Licensed bookmakers verify your age, and that’s a good thing.
Tools every licensed bookmaker offers
Deposit limits. A daily, weekly or monthly cap. A limit set on a calm day beats willpower on a bad one.
Time-outs. Lock your account for a short, set period.
Self-exclusion. A longer or permanent block. Provincial gambling boards run self-exclusion for the bookmakers they license, and the National Responsible Gambling Programme can explain how.
Account history. Your deposits, withdrawals and bets are all in your account. A quick look now and then keeps things honest.
Your bank. Several South African banks let you block gambling transactions on your card.
Signs it’s time to talk to someone
- Spending more than you planned, or more than you can afford
- Betting again to win back what you’ve lost
- Using money meant for rent, food, school fees or debts
- Borrowing, or selling things, to bet
- Hiding how much you bet from the people close to you
- Feeling restless or irritable when you can’t bet
- Betting to cope with stress, low mood or boredom
If one or more sounds familiar, call 0800 006 008. It’s free and confidential, and the people who answer do this every day.
If it’s someone close to you
Family and partners can call the same helpline, without the person who bets having to agree. Don’t lend money or cover losses, protect shared accounts, and get advice before you raise it with them.
Our part
We write about betting as part of enjoying sport. We don’t sell tips, promise wins, or suggest betting can solve money problems. We put bonus terms in rands so you can see what you’re signing up for, and we only cover bookmakers licensed in South Africa, where help and complaints routes exist.
National Responsible Gambling Programme: 0800 006 008, or WhatsApp HELP to 076 675 0710. Winners know when to stop.
Last updated 11 November 2026