The research, conducted in May, surveyed 1,028 South Africans who had gambled online within the previous 30 days. It also analysed 2,569 voice notes collected through the company’s WhatsApp-based research platform.

In the South African Gambling Impact Study conducted by Yazi, a South African-founded artificial intelligence-powered consumer research platform, the study found nearly three-quarters of online gamblers described themselves as being in control of their gambling behaviour.

But, the data painted a different picture, with many respondents reporting behaviour commonly associated with financial distress and problem gambling.

“We wanted to move beyond the financial statistics and understand what gambling is actually doing to people’s daily lives,” said Yazi founder Timothy Treagus.

“What stood out for me was hearing from people who were gambling with money they simply could not afford to lose. Online gambling has become highly normalised in South Africa.

“People are constantly exposed to advertising and betting platforms, and I believe stronger interventions will be needed if we are serious about reducing the harm being experienced by vulnerable households."

News24 reports two entities at the University of the Free State have recommended a mandatory gambling literacy module be offered to students at higher education institutions amid the scourge of online gambling and betting.

Several UFS students disclosed gambling-related debt, repeated financial losses, and dependence on informal lenders and loan sharks to sustain gambling activities or repay debts.

Nothando Hlophe, the acting assistant director for student leadership development at UFS, said during the rollout of a financial literacy programme on campus last year, students said, “Instead of investing in savings, we prefer gambling. I would rather take my chance of increasing this NSFAS allowance than saving.”

‘Multiple UFS students disclosed gambling-related debt and 
repeated financial losses’

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation has issued several warning signs of a gambling problem:

• manipulating people into lending or giving money to be used in gambling;
• lying or concealing gambling activities from family and friends;
• neglecting personal needs like sleeping, hygiene, and eating in favour of gambling;
• racking up large debts due to gambling activities; and
• feeling anxious or moody when not gambling.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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