In a conference panel discussion taking place at the SiGMA Africa expo today, panellists tackled South Africa’s responsible gambling journey: assessing progress, international perspectives, and new developments with moderator Jason Foster, the Managing Director for 1337ProBet, and Annalisa Samuels, the Product and Biz Dev Specialist for Bitville Holdings, Garron Whitesman, Founding Partner from Whitesman Attorney, and Robert Bennett, the Head of Department for Regulatory Compliance, Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board.

Jason initiated the conversation by reflecting on the past 10 years as a supplier to the industry and the changes witnessed since the early days of licensing in the nineties.

Robin Bennett, with over 20 years of experience at the Western Cape Gambling Board, expressed the need for stronger legislation in responsible gambling. He highlighted the limitations of focusing solely on addressing problems at the rear end, emphasising the importance of imposing specific requirements on licensed holders and providing training for employees. The aim is to raise awareness and education about the dangers of problem gambling while promoting responsible gambling practices.

According to Bennett, the challenges escalated during the lockdown in 2021, creating a breeding ground for certain issues. To combat this, the panel aims to introduce specific legislation in the upcoming year, intending to reduce the number of individuals transitioning from social gamblers to problem gamblers.

Garron Whitesman, representing various operators, provided an operator’s perspective on responsible gambling. He acknowledged the complexity of negotiating responsible gambling measures between regulators and operators. Whitesman emphasised the delicate balance between commercial imperatives and regulatory compliance, expressing doubts about the influence stakeholders can have on the decision-making process. He underlined the industry’s commercial interest in avoiding problem gamblers due to potential legal issues and refunds.

Annalisa contributed to the discussion by suggesting ways to go beyond self-exclusion in managing players. She emphasised the importance of utilising information within systems to analyse player behaviour and identify potential risks. Annalisa proposed the development of software to categorise and assess player risk, considering psychological triggers that may indicate a propensity for problem gambling. Additionally, she highlighted the need for implementing bet limits and capping to empower players to manage their own spending responsibly.

The proposed legislation, operator perspectives, and innovative approaches to player management underscore the industry’s commitment to evolving practices for a safer and more responsible gambling environment.

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