Responsible gambling

Last reviewed 27 July 2026.

Betting is entertainment that costs money. It is not income, it is not a plan, and no system beats a bookmaker's margin over a long enough run. Everything on Edges is written for adults who have decided to bet anyway and would rather do it with their eyes open.

Get help now

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation runs a free, confidential counselling service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not have to be in crisis to call.

• Toll free counselling line: 0800 006 008
• WhatsApp or SMS the word HELP to 076 675 0710
• Email: [email protected]
• Outside South Africa: +27 21 674 5830
• More information: responsiblegambling.org.za

Warning signs

Any one of these is worth taking seriously, and several together is a reason to call the number above today.

• Betting with money set aside for rent, food, school fees or debt.
• Chasing a loss with a bigger stake to get level.
• Borrowing to bet, or hiding how much you have staked from people close to you.
• Betting to escape stress, boredom or low mood rather than for enjoyment.
• Feeling irritable or restless when you try to cut back.

Tools your bookmaker must give you

A licensed South African operator has to offer player protection controls. Use them before you feel you need them, because they are far easier to set on a calm day.

• Deposit limits. Cap what can enter the account daily, weekly or monthly.
• Time and session reminders. A prompt showing how long you have been logged in.
• Time out. A short cooling off period that locks the account for a set number of days.
• Self exclusion. A longer or permanent block, requested through the operator or through the relevant provincial gambling board.

Under 18s

Gambling by anyone under the age of 18 is illegal in South Africa. Edges is intended for adults only, we do not knowingly market to minors, and our content is labelled for age filtering software. If you share a device, consider parental control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio.

What Edges will never do

• Promise a profit, a guaranteed win, or a system that beats the bookmaker.
• Suggest betting as a way to solve a money problem or recover a loss.
• Publish a fabricated winning record or an invented testimonial.
• Target advertising at people under 18 or at people who have self excluded.