SARGF - South African Responsible Gambling Foundation

History

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation was launched in June 2000 as a direct response to the legalisation of gambling in 1996, and it was formally incorporated as a non-profit company in 2004. It was created as a public-private partnership between the National Gambling Board, provincial licensing authorities, and licensed gambling operators. Its primary mandate is to implement the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), which encompasses treatment, education, and research.

Business Model and Funding

SARGF is financed by a mandatory levy of 0.1% of gross gambling revenue from all regulated sectors – casinos, sports betting, bingo, and Limited Payout Machines (LPMs). This levy is supplemented by public grants for specific provincial responsible gambling interventions. The foundation aligns its governance with the Public Finance Management Act and undergoes full annual audits, with its financial reports publicly available.

Treatment and Counselling Services

The foundation's core service is a free, confidential 24/7 toll-free helpline that provides support, assessment, and referral to face-to-face therapy with a network of professional counsellors. This service also extends to family members affected by problem gambling. To date, SARGF has treated more than 18,500 individuals through these channels.

Industry Training and Research

SARGF offers free industry training programmes such as Responsible Gambling 101, a course designed for gambling industry staff and regulators. Its Research Hub supplies training, education, and research outputs to all gambling employees, helping stakeholders stay informed about problem gambling trends and interventions.

School Programme and Public Awareness

The Taking Risks Wisely programme is a schools-based awareness campaign that has reached over 75,000 learners and 2,400 teachers across all nine provinces, aiming to prevent illegal underage gambling. The foundation also runs ongoing public awareness campaigns under hashtags like #ResponsibleGambling and #WinnersKnowWhenToStop, and it offers an online self-assessment tool for individuals to evaluate their gambling behaviour.

Partnerships and Recent Initiatives

A notable partnership with the Hollywood Foundation, ongoing since 2023, injected over R2.3 million into the helpline and schools programme, resulting in 355 referrals and 2,848 counselling sessions in 2024 alone. In 2025, SARGF organised the Responsible Gambling Summit at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, reinforcing its role as a continental leader in harm reduction.

Reputation and Governance

SARGF is recognised by the National Gambling Board and provincial licensing authorities as the official body for problem gambling treatment and prevention. It has publicly distanced itself from unauthorised entities such as “Stop Gambling SA”, which attempted to impersonate its services while charging fees. The foundation maintains strict confidentiality and does not charge for its counselling services, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted resource in the sector.