Youth and online betting

Online betting apps are designed to be engaging, fast and easy to access - and young people, even those below the legal age, are increasingly being drawn in through social media ads, friends, or gaming-adjacent platforms. Understanding the risk early helps families respond before it becomes a bigger problem.

What it is

Online betting includes sports betting, casino-style apps and betting-like features embedded in some games, such as loot boxes or in-game wagers. These platforms are built using the same psychological principles as gambling more broadly - near-misses, rewards and social validation - which can make them especially appealing to a still-developing adolescent brain that's drawn to novelty and reward. Underage access is illegal in South Africa, but weak age verification on some platforms and peer-to-peer betting make it easier than many parents realise.

Signs to notice

• Secretive phone use, especially around betting or sports apps.
• Unexplained spending, borrowing money, or selling belongings.
• Excessive interest in sports results tied to money rather than the game itself.
• Mood swings linked to wins or losses.
• Lying about how time or money is being spent.
• Withdrawal from usual hobbies and friendships.

What helps

• Talk openly about how betting apps are designed to keep people playing, and how odds are structured in the house's favour.
• Set up parental controls and monitor app downloads and spending where appropriate for their age.
• Encourage healthy relationships with sport and gaming that don't involve money.
• Keep communication judgement-free so a young person feels safe admitting if they've been drawn in.
• Watch financial access - shared bank cards, saved payment details on devices, and unsupervised online spending are common entry points.
• Talk about the difference between the excitement of sport and the risk of betting on it, so the two don't become linked in their mind.

South African law sets the legal age for gambling and betting at 18, but the reality is that many platforms are only loosely enforced, and peer-to-peer arrangements can bypass age checks entirely. This makes conversation and supervision far more effective than relying on the platforms themselves to protect young people.

When to reach out for help

Seek help if a young person is spending money they don't have, borrowing or lying to fund betting, showing distress about losses, or unable to stop despite wanting to. Early intervention prevents patterns from becoming entrenched.

Getting help in South Africa

The National Responsible Gambling Programme offers a free, confidential helpline on 0800 006 008, with support and counselling for gambling-related harm, including for young people and concerned family members. Cleared Mind's EAP counsellors can also support families navigating this, and SADAG's Mental Health Line (011 234 4837) can help with related mood or anxiety concerns.