LISTEN | Do you need help with gambling addiction?

Many young people aged between 18 and 35 are seeking help for their gambling addiction, with the SA ResponsibleGamblingFoundation warning that many only reach out after losing their savings, relationships and jobs. During the 2025/26 financial year, the foundation’s counselling helpline assessed 5,199 people for gambling-related harm. Of those, 3,541 received treatment, while 1,658 dropped out before completing the programme.

Young adults accounted for the majority of those who received treatment. A total of 2,670 clients were between the ages of 18 and 35, including 198 tertiary students, while 51 students presented with suicidal ideation. Assistant manager for social services at the foundation, Sonia Maphosa, said the figures reflect an increase from the previous financial year, when 4,166 people were referred for treatment.

Of those, 2,034 were young adults, 163 were tertiary students and 38 students reported suicidal thoughts. “We don’t have a physical rehabilitation centre specifically for gambling addiction. Most of our work is done through an outpatient programme,” she said.

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Clients attend weekly counselling sessions, either online or in person. “People attend a one-hour session every week where they work through the issues that contribute to their gambling behaviour. Recovery doesn’t always require someone to be admitted to a rehabilitation centre.” However, Maphosa said clients experiencing severe mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder or suicidal thoughts, are first referred for psychiatric evaluation.

“The psychiatrist assesses whether the client requires admission to a rehabilitation facility. If rehabilitation is recommended, we facilitate that process.” Maphosa said gambling addiction is often accompanied by underlying mental health challenges that require treatment alongside the addiction itself. She said many people are reluctant to seek help because they do not believe counselling will work.

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