The SARGF’s NRGP Support Group Unites 400+ Members, Redefining Recovery Through Collective Strength
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Johannesburg, 30 April 2025 - In a groundbreaking demonstration of community-powered recovery, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) today announced that its National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) online support group has empowered over 400 individuals overcoming gambling addiction in its first year. As the first initiative of its kind in the sector, this pioneering platform leverages the Ubuntu ethos “I am because we are” to dismantle isolation and foster a sustainable network of peer-driven recovery. By prioritising accessibility through WhatsApp and virtual meetings, the group ensures no one faces the battle alone, proving that collective support is transformative in rebuilding lives.
Problem gambling, a mental health disorder with devastating ripple effects on families and communities, often traps individuals in cycles of shame and solitude. The NRGP’s online support group directly confronts this isolation by creating a safe, judgment-free space where members share struggles, celebrate milestones and resist triggers together, day or night. “Our support group is more than a resource; it’s a lifeline,” said Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, SARGF Executive Director. “By embracing Ubuntu, we remind participants that healing thrives in community. The courage to say, ‘I need help,’ is met with immediate support from peers who truly understand, proving that solidarity can achieve what therapy alone often cannot.”
To bridge geographical and logistical barriers, the SARGF harnesses WhatsApp for real-time support and hosts weekly Microsoft Teams meetings every Saturday. These virtual gatherings foster connection through shared stories, coping strategies, and accountability check-ins. Members highlight the platform’s 24/7 accessibility as critical to resisting urges:
- "At 2 a.m., when guilt and anxiety tighten their grip, there’s always someone to pull me back from the edge."
- “Knowing I’m not alone makes the impossible feel possible.”
The NRGP also integrates legally mandated pathways to recovery under South Africa’s National Gambling Act of 2004, including:
- Voluntary self-exclusion, where individuals proactively ban their own gambling access for a minimum period of 6 months while also committing to counselling. In the financial year 2024/2025, the NRGP received 4166 referrals, of which 902 were for self-exclusions.
- Third-party exclusion, where family members or dependents petition courts to impose gambling restrictions on a problematic gambler.
Early challenges, such as stigma and anxiety about joining, have been countered by the group’s anonymity and cultural alignment with Ubuntu values. There are already many success stories of active members reporting maintaining a gambling-free status for six months or longer, with many rebuilding relationships and financial stability. Looking ahead, the SARGF plans to expand access through regional support hubs and partnerships with local leaders. “Relapse prevention requires innovation,” added Simelane-Quntana. “Our vision is a nationwide web of support rooted in shared humanity where every individual can reclaim their future.”
For more information on the SARGF and its programmes, visit: www.responsiblegambling.org.za
Contact: National Responsible Gambling Programme
Email the NRGP Helpline: helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za
Toll-Free Counselling Phone: 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp help to 076 675 0710
About the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation
The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) is a non-profit company dedicated to preventing and treating disordered and addictive gambling while promoting responsible gaming practices in South Africa. The Foundation’s primary objectives are:
- Education: Raising public awareness about the dangers of gambling addiction and promoting responsible gambling habits.
- Counselling: Providing support and counselling to individuals and families affected by gambling addiction.
- Monitoring: Evaluating gambling trends to influence policy and advocate for effective treatment of gambling addiction.
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