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To: Parks Tau , Trade, Industry and Competition

LIMIT ONLINE GAMBLING TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES

* [Campaign update]: The Remote Gambling Bill will be reintroduced to parliament and opened for public comments. There has been a notice for submissions, interested parties can make submissions to  [email protected] before the 07th of December.
Read more here: https://pmg.org.za/call-for-comment/1531/?utm_campaign=request-for-comment-from-parliament&utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional

**[Campaign Update]: The recent resignation of Caroline Kongwa, Chief Strategic Advisor of the National Gambling Board, underscores the need for robust governance and oversight in South Africa's gambling industry. As an organization advocating for strict restrictions around gambling, WWGI calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations of irregular expenditure and urges the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition to ensure that the NGB is properly governed and managed. We further emphasize the importance of appointing a new board to oversee the NGB, ensuring that the industry is regulated in a manner that prioritizes public protection and responsible gambling practices. WWGI remains committed to advocating for policies and practices that protect vulnerable individuals and promote a safer gambling environment.

We, the concerned citizens, urge you to take immediate action to protect our communities from the devastating effects of online gambling. We request that you implement a comprehensive regulation to mitigate the harm caused by online gambling, including:

1. Limiting online gambling to 5% of an individual's salary, to prevent financial ruin and ensure responsible gaming practices.

2. Prohibiting public servants and all citizens from gambling with their entire salaries online, to maintain the integrity of public office and protect individuals from financial exploitation.

3. Implementing strict age verification measures to prevent underage gambling and protect vulnerable youth.

4. Mandating gambling operators to provide clear warnings about the risks of online gambling and offer resources for those struggling with addiction.

5. Establishing a national registry to track online gambling activities and identify individuals who may be at risk of problem gambling.

6. Allocating funds to support research, education, and treatment programs for problem gambling and its effects on communities.

We believe that these measures will help safeguard our communities from the harmful effects of online gambling, including financial hardship, mental health issues, and social problems. We urge you to take decisive action to protect our citizens and promote responsible gaming practices.

Why is this important?

Gambling addiction is a growing concern, causing:

- Financial ruin: Gambling addiction can lead to bankruptcy, debt, and financial instability, affecting not only individuals but also their families and communities.

- Family breakdowns: Problem gambling can strain relationships, lead to divorce, and cause emotional distress for loved ones.

- Mental health issues: Gambling addiction is linked to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Public servants, in particular, have a responsibility to:

- Manage public resources effectively, which can be compromised by gambling addiction.
- Make decisions in the best interest of the community, unbiased by personal financial struggles.

Allowing individuals to gamble with their entire salaries online can lead to:

- Exploitation: Unscrupulous gambling operators can take advantage of vulnerable individuals, perpetuating financial hardship.

- Financial hardship: Gambling away entire salaries can lead to poverty, homelessness, and reliance on public assistance.

- Perpetuating cycles of poverty: Gambling addiction can trap individuals in a cycle of debt and financial struggle, making it difficult to escape.

By implementing regulations on online gambling, we can:

- Protect individuals and families from financial ruin and emotional distress.
- Ensure public servants maintain the integrity of their office and make decisions in the best interest of the community.
- Prevent exploitation and financial hardship, promoting financial stability and responsible gaming practices.

The Urgency of the matter:

The need for regulation on online gambling is urgent due to the rapid growth of the industry and the increasing number of individuals affected by problem gambling. The ease of access to online gambling platforms, combined with the anonymity and isolation of online interactions, has created a perfect storm for addiction.

Why Now: The time to act is now because:

- Online gambling is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people.

- The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to online gambling, leading to a surge in problem gambling cases.

- Existing regulations are inadequate, failing to address the unique risks associated with online gambling.

Risk: If nothing is done:

- Problem gambling rates will continue to rise, leading to more financial ruin, family breakdowns, and mental health issues.
- Public servants will remain vulnerable to exploitation, compromising their integrity and decision-making.
- Communities will suffer from the economic and social consequences of unregulated online gambling.

Personal Story:

As someone who has seen the devastating effects of gambling firsthand, I understand the importance of urgent action. "My own struggles with addiction have taught me the importance of responsible gaming practices and the need for support. I believe that by sharing my story, I can help raise awareness and advocate for change".

Mndntv delves into the harrowing stories of those who’ve hit rock bottom and seeks expert insights from a psychologist and the National Gambling Board on the urgent need for tighter controls to protect vulnerable lives. Watch the documentary here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hHJVwapt3A  


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Updates

2026-05-28 20:05:26 +0200

We are happy to announce that we have launched a gambling blocking app. You can get it now on the Play Store by using this link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wwgi.shield. For family members, partners and friends of those impacted by gambling, you now have the space to share, learn and help show the impact of gambling harm not just on those who are battling an addiction, but the impact that an addiction has in our communities, from loss of income for the whole family to a break in trust and in relationships. These are the stories we need to document to put pressure on government to do something about the scourge of gambling.

To add your own story, share using this link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wwgi.platform
#WinnersWithoutGambling

2025-02-14 10:54:30 +0200

On February 14th, we had a radio interview with Vow FM 88.1 to raise awareness about problem gambling among university students and highlight government inefficiencies in regulating and monitoring gambling.

2024-11-12 13:46:45 +0200

The Remote Gambling Bill will be reintroduced to parliament and opened for public comments. There has been a notice for submissions, interested parties can make submissions to [email protected] before the 07th of December.

2024-09-19 09:27:47 +0200

Response from DTIC: "Your enquiry to Minister’s office was referred to the Regulation branch. Thank you for your email and the work that your organisation is doing in the communities. Proliferation of online gambling has come to the attention of government and the National Gambling Board as well as the Provincial Gambling Boards. These regulatory institutions have been working hard to combat illegal gambling, including online gambling in the country. As government we will continue to strive for the protection of minors and vulnerable persons from the harms of gambling.

We have noted the concerns you raise on problem gambling and the various
measures you have proposed to Minister in the petition provided".

2024-09-12 13:22:03 +0200

We have since found out that remote gambling bill has been tabled and currently sits with the National Assembly, you can read more here about the bill: https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/Bills/2024/B11_2024_Remote_Gambling_bill/B11_2024_Remote_Gambling_bill.pdf. We are hoping and encouraging the ministry of trade and industry to swiftly implement the bill after due public consultation in which we will add our inputs as well.

2024-08-24 12:24:22 +0200

100 signatures reached

2024-08-21 18:57:33 +0200

50 signatures reached

2024-08-21 11:48:29 +0200

25 signatures reached

2024-08-21 11:01:12 +0200

10 signatures reached