South Africa Joins First Africa Safer Gambling Week

South Africa is joining regulators, operators and responsible gambling organisations across the continent for the first Africa Safer Gambling Week.

Running from 7 to 11 September 2026 under the #PlaySafeAfrica banner, the initiative will encourage players to gamble responsibly while also raising awareness of illegal gambling and the risks associated with unlicensed operators.

Africa Launches New Safer Gambling Initiative

Africa Safer Gambling Week is being organised by the African iGaming Alliance (AiA) as gambling continues to expand across the continent.

The five-day campaign will feature public education, digital awareness initiatives and cooperation between gambling regulators and industry stakeholders.

Each day will concentrate on a different aspect of responsible gambling, including understanding gambling as entertainment, setting spending and time limits and using safer gambling tools when necessary.

Preventing underage gambling will also form an important part of the initiative.

Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, said player protection needs to develop alongside the industry’s growth.

As Africa’s gambling industry continues to grow, player protection must grow with it.

Illegal Gambling Remains a Concern in South Africa

The campaign’s focus on illegal operators is particularly relevant for South Africa.

Online sports betting is legal when provided by bookmakers licensed through one of the country’s Provincial Licensing Authorities, but online casino gambling remains prohibited.

The National Gambling Board has repeatedly warned consumers about offshore casino websites targeting South African players despite not being licensed to operate in the country.

Some of these websites can appear similar to legitimate gambling businesses, making it difficult for consumers to immediately recognise whether an operator is authorised.

Players using illegal gambling platforms may also have considerably less protection if they experience problems involving withdrawals, account closures or disputes with an operator.

South African authorities have therefore encouraged consumers to check whether a gambling company is properly licensed before depositing money or placing bets.

Players Encouraged to Set Gambling Limits

Another major message during Africa Safer Gambling Week will be the importance of setting personal gambling limits.

Players will be encouraged to decide how much money they can afford to spend before gambling and to avoid exceeding that amount.

Time limits can also help prevent gambling sessions from continuing for longer than originally intended.

Responsible gambling tools available through regulated operators can include deposit limits, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion.

The campaign will also reinforce the message that gambling should be treated as entertainment rather than a reliable way of making money.

Underage Gambling Also in the Spotlight

Preventing children and teenagers from accessing gambling products will be another key focus during the week.

Operators and regulators increasingly use age and identity verification measures to prevent minors from opening gambling accounts.

However, the growth of online and mobile gambling means young people can be exposed to betting content more frequently than in the past.

Africa Safer Gambling Week aims to increase awareness among parents, players and gambling companies about the importance of keeping gambling restricted to adults.

Free Gambling Support Available in South Africa

South Africans experiencing gambling-related problems can access free support through the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.

The organisation operates the National Responsible Gambling Programme and provides counselling and treatment for people affected by problem gambling.

A 24-hour toll-free counselling service is available on 0800 006 008, while assistance can also be requested through WhatsApp on 076 675 0710.

The first Africa Safer Gambling Week gives South Africa and other participating countries an opportunity to put player protection at the centre of the conversation while gambling markets across the continent continue to develop.