Gambling: R10 billion spent by Lim punters alone
Roughly R10 billion was spent on gambling in Limpopo alone in the financial year ending March 2016.
POLOKWANE –Â This figure was announced by the Accounting Authority of the National Gambling Board (NGB), Caroline Kongwa as she spoke at a workshop about the advantages and disadvantages recently.
Citizens attended the workshop, hosted by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the NGB and Thulamela Municipality, at the Indoor Sports Centre in Thohoyandou.
According to Kongwa, even though the R10 billion spent by punters stimulate the economy and contributes to government revenue, punters have to be aware of the negative socioeconomic impact of gambling.
“Money lost as a result of illegal gambling is also a loss to the economy,” she said, adding that problem gambling and addiction impacts the economy, family and society.
Minors are prohibited to participate in gambling activities and this, she said, remains a social challenge.
Results from the latest study conducted by the NGB on the prevalence of gambling reveal that while the preferred mode of gambling is the national lottery, more than 17% of South Africans participated in illegal modes of gambling in the same period.
Kongwa emphasised that the public should report fraudulent, illegal gambling activities and establishments to the NGB or the relevant provincial licensing authority so it can be dealt with.
Illegal gambling
The NGB is disturbed about the occurrence of illegal gambling in the country.
If citizens are caught gambling illegally or running an illegal gambling establishment such as an internet cafe that provides illegal online gambling they will face criminal charges or a hefty fine to the maximum of R10 million or both, she stressed.
Proceeds from illegal gambling will be seized and forfeited to the state, she warned, and goods and illegal gambling machines from illegal gambling establishments will be confiscated.
Kongwa said licensed gambling outlets are easily identifiable by a display of a verifiable gambling licence and responsible gambling signage.
The national educational drive that the DTI and the NGB are undertaking started in Bochum last Monday and will be rolled out throughout the country.
The campaign has created awareness in the province among members of the public about responsible gambling and the socio-economic consequences of gambling.
