Self Exclusion Request

Category: Responsible Gambling & Self-Exclusion

Licensed casinos and betting operators in South Africa must honour a valid self-exclusion request. Ignoring it is a serious breach of their licence conditions and the National Gambling Act.If this happens:Immediately contact the National Responsible Gambling Helpline on 0800 006 008 (24/7) or WhatsApp “HELP” to 076 675 0710. They can assist you and help escalate the matter. Report the incident to the provincial Gambling Board where the casino or operator is licensed (e.g., Gauteng Gambling Board, Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, etc.). Provide them with proof of your self-exclusion application and any evidence of continued access (screenshots, transaction records, dates, etc.). You can also report it to the National Gambling Board (NGB). The regulator will investigate the operator for non-compliance. Penalties for the casino can include fines, licence conditions, or other enforcement actions. Important notes: Self-exclusion is ultimately a tool to support you — the main responsibility for not gambling still lies with the individual, but operators have a clear legal duty to prevent access where possible. Keep records of everything (emails, forms, dates). This helps if you need to dispute any losses or seek further support. While pursuing legal action against the operator is possible in theory, it can be complex and costly. Most people focus on getting immediate counselling support and strengthening their exclusion (e.g., by applying through multiple channels or the provincial board for broader coverage). The best step is always to reach out to the helpline first — they are there to support you confidentially and can guide you on the quickest way to resolve the situation while you continue your recovery.

Tags:

No responses yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *