The National Responsible Gambling Programme - a public/private sector initiative - is the only one of its kind in Africa,
and is acknowledged internationally to be exceptionally well funded and among the most comprehensive in the world.
 
 




To help prevent the development of problems associated with gambling.
To help those identified as having such problems.

For the overwhelming majority of people, gambling is recreational entertainment. However, for a small proportion of people (estimated internationally at 5% of regular gamblers), excessive gambling may become a problem, and in some, may result in damaging compulsive addictive behaviour. The NRGP would like to provide help to these people, so that they can regain control of their lives.
To send a confidential e-mail to the National Responsible Gambling Programme:
counsellor@responsiblegambling.co.za

There are three components:

1. Education and prevention Education of the public at large and of gamblers in particular, aimed at the prevention of gambling problems; as well as in-house training for industry staff and people in NGOs and government on the identification and management of problem gambling. Africa's first-ever education programmes aimed specifically at senior citizens, and schools, are in full swing, with pilot projects in the Western Cape sponsored by the Department of Social Services. Nearly 11 000 scholars and seniors have participated in more than 200 awareness sessions to date. Contact Leilah Kadamen at info@responsiblegambling.co.za

2. Treatment and Counselling A unique component of the programme is the Tollfree Helpline 0800 006 008 for problem gamblers, their families and friends, backed by a national network of professional counselling and treatment services co-ordinated from the Kenilworth Clinic Addiction Treatment Centre in Cape Town. Over 1600 people have received free medical treatment since the start of the programme.
www.kwplace.com

NB Treatment and counselling are available free of charge to everyone requiring help with gambling problems, not just to gamblers at casinos.

Click here for more details on outpatient and inpatient counselling

3. Research This ensures that the effectiveness of the programme is constantly monitored, and additionally, provides an up-to-date resource of valuable scientific data on gambling trends and behaviour in South Africa, and the world. It also enables the programme to test itself against international best practice.

The NRGP is a public/private sector initiative, overseen by the SA Responsible Gambling Trust, comprising an equal number of representatives from government and industry.

Dr Vincent Maphai is the chairperson of the trust, and his deputy is Mr Chris Fismer, who is also chairperson of the National Gambling Board and chairman of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).

It is funded by the private sector, and additionally, receives public grants for special projects.

It is managed by independent experts at the National Centre for the Study of Gambling, based at the University of Cape Town. Professor Peter Collins is the executive director of the Centre. Contact Peter on pcollins@commerce.uct.ac.za

In line with most worldwide authorities, the NRGP recognises three different forms of gambling. Each may be difficult to distinguish at times.
 
1 Recreational gamblers gamble on social occasions with friends or colleagues. They have pre-determined acceptable losses and by and large their gambling activities cause little harm and their behaviour is associated with minimal guilt. They simply require information and education on gambling behaviour in order to make sensible decisions.
 
2 Problem gamblers spend too much time and money gambling. Their behaviour causes harm both to themselves and others and is associated with much guilt. Most NRGP patients requiring treatment fall into this group and they very often respond positively to the intervention.
 
3 Compulsive and pathological gamblers have a psychiatric disorder diagnosable by strict clinical criteria. It is regarded as a disorder of impulse control and has a very poor prognosis. Such gamblers have an inability to control their gambling, with consequent significant damage to themselves and others. They are often very difficult to treat. They constitute less than 1% of gamblers.

The NRGP subscribes to the nationally acknowledged Targeted Access Programme (TAP) protocols. These protocols specify empowerment targets in terms of procurement, outsourcing, recruitment and other relevant criteria, and crucially, provide a mechanism for auditing and monitoring the programme's performance against these targets. In 2002 the NRGP attained its targets for HDI recruitment in its psychologist and facilitator ranks - nearly 89% in numbers and nearly 83% in terms of spend. Similarly, 51% of the NRGP's procurement was placed with historically disadvantaged companies. The NRGP also retains the services of many contractors, including empowerment companies such as Blue Action Marketing and Roots Research to ensure that PDI targets are reached.

Click here to read about Blue Action.

Click here to read about Roots Research.

Click here to view the Helpline Personalities.

The South African Responsible Gambling Trust was created to supervise the affairs of the NRGP - to ensure a high level of accountability and transparency.

This body comprises four regulators, four industry representatives and an independent chairperson, who is Dr Vincent Maphai. Mr Chris Fismer is the deputy-chairperson.

The NRGP also reports to a committee of its funders in Responsible Gambling South Africa (RGSA), and there is a high degree of transparency in terms of financial management and regular reportage on the activities of the programme.