The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) is South Africa’s leading public health-focused non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing and reducing gambling-related harm. Through its flagship National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), the Foundation addresses gambling harm as a public health issue, recognising the impact of South Africa’s socio-economic challenges on individuals, families, and communities.
Established under the National Gambling Regulations of 2004 and operating independently
of the gambling industry, the Foundation advocates for player protection, safer gambling environments, and evidence-based regulatory reform. It also provides free counselling and treatment for those affected by gambling addiction, conducts research and nationwide screening, raises public awareness through education and advocacy, and delivers responsible gambling training and workplace wellness programmes across the industry.
We provide free, confidential support to individuals and families affected by problem gambling, as well as training and mentorship for the gambling industry. From treatment and counselling to education and prevention, everything you need is in one place.
Direct telephone support from our Mentorship Programme Manager during a crisis, plus debriefing after traumatic events. Ongoing email and phone access to guidance whenever your team needs it.
Free training for gambling industry operators and regulators, including our Responsible Gambling 101 course equipping your team to identify risk and support players responsibly.
Our counselling line runs 24/7, every day of the year, offering free support and information. We assess each case and refer you to face-to-face counselling with a mental health professional in our network.
Two decades of free, confidential support the numbers behind our work with individuals, families, and the gambling industry across South Africa.
Hear directly from the people we’ve supported their journeys out of gambling addiction, and back to their lives.
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Need Help or Have Questions?
Find answers to common questions or contact our support team directly through the following channels:
The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of disordered gambling.
We have helped over 18,500 problem gamblers through our treatment and counselling programme and have been in operation for 18 years.
The NRGP is the flagship programme of the SARGF.
It is a world-renowned responsible gambling programme, providing the following three services:
SARGF is funded by licensed gambling operators (excluding the National Lottery) and the contribution is 0.1% of Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR), that is, amount staked/wagered less winnings paid to players
The Foundation also undertakes special projects at the request of provincial gambling boards. As a not for profit company (NPC) and like many other NPCs in South Africa, the Foundation operates on a limited budget.
Not only do licensed gambling operators provide funding, they also support the Foundation’s National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), including awareness interventions through their own communication campaigns.
Their adverts are accompanied by the SARGF responsible gambling slogan/ tagline, “Winners know when to stop”. NRGP collateral such as slot machine stickers, posters and information brochures are also made available at licensed gambling points, raising awareness on problem gambling and the NRGP’s services, namely, counselling and treatment programmes.
Education programmes are run for operators’ employees, to equip them in identifying disordered gamblers and what to do when they come across a disordered gambler.
