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In response to the rising concern over gambling addiction among the youth, particularly on platforms like Betway, the Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB) hosted an awareness event on Thursday morning at Walter Sisulu University's Buffalo City Campus (BCC), College Street.
The event aimed to educate students about the dangers of gambling and promote responsible betting practices.
The ECGB, established to regulate gambling in the province, has a mandate to ensure that gambling remains fair, responsible, and safe for the public.
As part of this, the Board actively engages communities to address the growing threat of gambling addiction, which has become more widespread due to the easy access to online betting platforms.
According to the Board’s spokesperson, Pumeza George, the programme is designed to provide students with awareness on responsible behavior, not just in gambling but in all areas of life, to help them become conscientious citizens.
“The Board hopes to encourage responsible gambling habits and provide students with the necessary tools and resources to protect themselves from the risks of addiction. Additionally, we want them to share this information with their friends and relatives outside of university,” George said.
George emphasised that this initiative is part of the Board's larger effort to combat gambling addiction among young people, especially as online platforms have made gambling more accessible.
“This is a growing concern, and the workshop is aimed at mitigating this by equipping the youth with information,” she added.
During the session, students were able to engage directly with ECGB representatives, ask questions about the regulation of betting platforms, and explore the dangers of gambling addiction.
The discussions also highlighted how students who engage in betting can do so responsibly, focusing on self-regulation and understanding the risks.
WSU's SRC Policy and Transformation Officer, Mlamuli Ngidi, praised the ECGB for its proactive approach.
“The initiative by the ECGB to educate students about the risks of gambling addiction and promote responsible gambling is commendable. By creating an open platform for dialogue, the Board is addressing a growing concern among the youth,” he said.
Ngidi further noted that empowering students with knowledge will help them make informed decisions, ultimately protecting them from the dangers of addiction.
WSU student and leader Mokgweetsi Keikabile echoed Ngidi’s sentiments, acknowledging that gambling addiction as a serious problem for many young people.
“The workshop was very educational. For those struggling with gambling, I hope this information helps them to come out a different person,” he said.
Keikabile also expressed gratitude to the Board for the informative session and urged for the initiative to continue.
“It would be great if this could be an ongoing programme, even available online to reach a wider audience,” he added.
Through events like these, the Eastern Cape Gambling Board hopes to continue its mission of promoting responsible gambling and raising awareness about the risks of addiction, while encouraging students to share the valuable information they learn with their communities.
By Yolanda Palezweni
