Responsible Gambling

Start with a personal check

Pause before depositing or betting and ask:

• Can I afford to lose the full amount?
• Is this money left after housing, food, transport, bills and debt payments?
• Have I decided when the session will end?
• Am I calm, rested and free from pressure to play?
• Am I trying to recover a previous loss?
• Would I be comfortable telling someone I trust what I am spending?

Do not play when the answer raises concern. Step away from the account, delay the decision and speak to someone you trust.

Set money and time limits first

Choose a fixed gambling budget from money that is not needed for essentials. Treat the budget as spent when it is deposited. Do not increase it because a promotion is ending, a result felt close or a previous session ended in a loss.

A practical plan can include:

• a maximum amount for one session;
• a daily, weekly or monthly limit;
• an alarm for the end of the session;
• regular breaks away from the screen; and
• a rule against borrowing or using credit to gamble.

Keep a record of deposits, bets, withdrawals and losses. The current account balance does not always show how much has been spent over time, especially across more than one service.

Avoid gambling when tired, upset, drinking alcohol or using substances. Do not gamble while driving, working or caring for another person.

Do not chase losses

If you notice yourself chasing losses, stop and step away from the account. Chasing losses means continuing or increasing bets to recover money already lost. A previous loss does not make the next wager more likely to win. Near misses and streaks do not change the independent uncertainty of future results.

When a loss creates an urge to continue, close the website or app and leave the device. Do something unrelated to gambling and wait until the emotion has passed. Protecting the remaining budget is more useful than trying to reverse an outcome that has already happened.

Read bonuses without increasing your limits

Promotions can create urgency, but a bonus is not free cash. The playTSOGO welcome offer is a 100% first-deposit match up to R10,000 with a R50 minimum deposit. The current dated terms attached to the account control every wagering or period detail.

Before accepting any promotion, check:

• the qualifying deposit or action;
• wagering and eligible play;
• expiry and when the period begins;
• any maximum stake or withdrawal condition; and
• whether meeting the terms would exceed your money or time limit.

Decline an offer when its conditions would encourage more gambling than planned. A larger maximum does not make a larger deposit affordable.

Warning signs that deserve action

Several changes together can show that gambling is becoming harmful:

• spending more money or time than planned;
• using money needed for ordinary expenses;
• borrowing, selling belongings or using credit to continue;
• chasing losses or increasing stakes after losing;
• hiding gambling, debt or transactions;
• feeling restless, irritable or preoccupied when not playing;
• missing sleep, work, study or family commitments;
• repeatedly trying to stop without succeeding; or
• gambling mainly to escape stress, sadness or loneliness.

You do not need to wait for a crisis. Early support can make it easier to protect finances, relationships and wellbeing.

Use account, payment and device controls

The tools offered by gambling services can differ. Check the signed-in account and support area for the controls available to you. These can include deposit limits, time-outs, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion and account closure.

If you use more than one service, apply restrictions to each account. A restriction on one account does not automatically cover another.

Extra barriers can help:

• remove saved payment details;
• ask a bank about gambling transaction controls;
• reduce payment limits where available;
• remove gambling apps and saved logins;
• use device or network blocking tools; and
• ask a trusted person to help monitor finances.

These measures support a decision to stop, but they do not replace professional help.

Protect children and vulnerable people

Keep gambling accounts, passwords and payment details away from children. Use separate device profiles, strong passwords and parental controls. Never let a child place a bet through an adult account.

Explain that gambling spends real money on uncertain results and is not a reliable way to earn. Keep promotional messages, notifications and account access out of reach.

South African gambling support

Call or message the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation's National Responsible Gambling Programme when gambling feels difficult to control or is affecting essential finances. Use either of these South African support contacts:

• 24-hour toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008
• WhatsApp: 076 675 0710

Use these contacts when gambling feels difficult to control, losses are affecting essential finances, or you need help planning a break. A trusted family member or friend can stay with you while you make contact.

If you or another person is in immediate danger, contact emergency services now. Do not wait for a gambling account response or an online message.

Stop-now plan

1. Do not make another deposit, bet or bonus claim.
2. Sign out and close the gambling service.
3. Request a time-out, self-exclusion or account closure from each service used.
4. Remove saved payment details and ask the bank about available controls.
5. Protect money needed for bills, food, housing and transport.
6. Tell a trusted person what is happening.
7. Call 0800 006 008 or use WhatsApp on 076 675 0710.
8. Contact emergency services if anyone is in immediate danger.

Stopping is a protective decision, not a failure. Repeat the plan when the urge returns and keep support close while access to gambling is being reduced.