Pretoria - The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and the National Gambling Board (NGB) will participate in a national roadshow aimed at educating the public about responsible gambling.
The roadshows, which will also create awareness on the socio-economic consequences of gambling, will kick off in Bochum, Limpopo, next Monday.
“As a national department, we recognise the positive socio-economic benefits derived from gambling in terms of job creation and contributing to the country’s gross domestic product.
“We are also cognisant of the negative socio-economic impact of gambling, hence the education and awareness roadshow is aimed at encouraging people to gamble responsibly and within the legal limits,” said MacDonald Netshitenzhe, acting Deputy Director-General of Consumer and Corporate Regulation at the dti.
The roadshows will help the public to be able to distinguish between licensed and unlicensed gambling operators, as well as identifying symptoms of problem gambling or addiction amongst friends and family members.
“We would like communities to become aware of legal and illegal gambling activities as well as penalties imposed by the National Gambling Act. We would like them to know that operators also have responsibilities and obligations that they must comply with in line with the legislation.
“One of these is the National Responsible Gambling Programme that the industry and government are working together on to encourage responsible gambling and provide guidance and assistance to gamblers who require it,” said Netshitenzhe.
The CEO of the NGB, Caroline Kongwa, expressed her support for the campaign, saying she trusts that the initiative will raise awareness levels of responsible gambling.
“The roadshows will target areas where gambling has been found to be prevalent based on research conducted by the NGB. The awareness roadshow will also focus on illegal (online) gambling and the consequences of participation,” she said.
She also urged the public to report fraudulent and illegal gambling activities to the NGB or the relevant provincial licensing authority.
The gambling board is concerned about the existence and growth of illegal gambling in the country.
The roadshows will conclude in Gauteng in November. – SAnews.gov.za
