Poor school performance, absenteeism, disruptive behaviour, bullying, substance abuse and anti-social conduct have been identified as some of the warning signs. The National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) warned that although underage gambling is prohibited by law, many children are becoming involved in gambling activities, often driven by financial hardship at home.

Under the theme Taking Risks Wisely School Edition, the awareness campaign was rolled out at schools in Kroonstad from Monday (18/5), to Friday (22/5), to educate learners about the dangers of illegal gambling. Advocacy, communication and prevention manager for the NRGP, Lebogang Seoheng, said young children are being exposed to gambling at an early age.

“It may start innocently with games such as dice, cards, where they then interact within those games exchanging money, and as soon as money is involved, it is considered gambling or betting, and therefore it is illegal for those under the age of 18 to be engaged in those activities,” said Seoheng.

Tina Ludidi presenting the TRW program to the learners of Dr. Reginald Cingo Secondary School in Kroonstad. Photo supplied

According to Seoheng, some children under the age of 18 use their parents’ identity numbers to open online betting accounts, while others gamble informally among themselves or at tuckshops and spaza shops using slot machines.

“There are also traditional platforms where they play games amongst themselves or go to spaza shops, tuckshops to gamble using slot machines, these being picked up as some of the issues of underage gambling whilst visiting some of the schools,” he said.

The NRGP identified several behavioural and social warning signs linked to underage gambling. These include declining school performance, not attending classes, disruptive behaviour in class, bullying, engaging in substance use, stealing, demanding pocket money, anti-social behaviour, and the types of games children play on mobile phones or with peers.

Seoheng said socio-economic challenges are among the major drivers behind illegal underage gambling. There are various reasons why children engage in illegal underage gambling; one could be socio-economic conditions that we find ourselves in, where children have to supplement income within the household.

“I guess these are children from child-headed households with no legal guardian or parent within the household, and therefore they need to fend for themselves and their siblings.

“Others could just be the culture of betting and advertising because if you look at the culture of betting games, they do mirror some of the identifications you would see in normal games.”

These factors make gambling attractive to children, despite the harmful effects it may have on their mental health and behaviour, he added.

The NRGP said it offers several intervention programmes for children affected by gambling. These include school awareness campaigns and a counselling programme known as the minor intervention programme for children addicted to gambling or exposed to gambling through parents or guardians.

The organisation also provides an educator training programme accredited by the South African Council for Educators to help teachers identify warning signs and refer affected learners for assistance.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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