Gambling in the Workplace: A Guide for Employees and Managers

Gambling harm follows people to work - and the workplace can be part of the solution

The problem nobody could see

Thabo's manager noticed the changes before anyone understood why: the missed deadlines, the long lunch breaks, the borrowing from colleagues, the day he asked for a salary advance with no explanation. It was months before the real cause came out - a gambling problem he had been hiding from everyone, including himself.

Gambling harm does not stay at home. It shows up at work in absence, stress, borrowing and lost focus - and the workplace, handled well, can be a powerful route to help. This guide is for both employees and managers.

What it is

Workplace gambling harm is the impact of problem gambling on a person's work and on those around them: reduced performance, absence, financial stress, borrowing from colleagues, and in some cases workplace theft or fraud. Many people spend their most alert hours at work, so it is often where the harm first becomes visible - and where a confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can reach people who would never otherwise seek help.

Common signs at work

• Lateness, absence, or long or frequent breaks - especially around paydays or big sporting events

• Dropping performance, missed deadlines, errors, or distraction

• Borrowing from colleagues, salary-advance requests, or money disputes

• Betting on devices during work hours; secrecy around screens or phones

• Stress, irritability, or withdrawal from the team

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out now: Suicide Crisis Helpline 0800 567 567, or SAPS 10111 in an emergency. You are not alone, and help is available 24 hours a day.

Why it happens

Work brings income, stress and routine - all of which interact with gambling. Payday provides the money; deadlines and pressure provide the stress that gambling promises to relieve; and downtime and devices provide the opportunity. Easy mobile betting means a person can gamble at their desk without anyone seeing.

Financial pressure, common in many South African households, raises the stakes: gambling can start as a hoped-for solution to money worries and become the cause of deeper ones, including debt that drives borrowing or, at worst, dishonesty at work.

For employees

• Your EAP is confidential - using it will not be reported to your manager

• Reaching out early protects your job, your money and your health

• Self-exclude, block apps, and get debt support; you do not have to manage it alone

For managers

• Focus on performance and behaviour you can observe - not accusations about gambling

• Have a private, supportive conversation and refer to the EAP; do not try to counsel

• Protect confidentiality and dignity; follow your organisation's policies fairly

• Treat it as a health issue, while still addressing any conduct or safety concerns appropriately

How we can help

Therapy On The Go provides Employee Assistance Programmes that include gambling support:

• Confidential counselling for employees, accessed directly and at no cost to them

• Manager guidance on recognising concerns and making a supportive referral

• A warm referral to specialist gambling, debt and mental-health services

• Anonymised reporting for employers, with no breach of individual confidentiality

When to seek support

Employees: reach out as soon as gambling is affecting your money, focus or wellbeing. Managers: refer to the EAP when you see a pattern of performance or behaviour changes, without needing to diagnose the cause.

Try this (2 minutes)

Know your route to help. If you are an employee, find your EAP contact details now and save them - most people do not know they have free, confidential support until a crisis hits. If you are a manager, locate your referral process today, so that when a team member needs help you can respond with care and confidence rather than scrambling.

Free South African support

• National Responsible Gambling Programme - 0800 006 008

• Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0800 567 567

• Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0800 567 567

• Gamblers Anonymous South Africa - support groups nationwide

References

American Psychiatric Association, 2013. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

World Health Organization, 2019. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11): Gambling Disorder. Geneva: World Health Organization.

National Responsible Gambling Programme, n.d. Help for Problem Gambling. [online] Available at: https://www.responsiblegambling.org.za [Accessed June 2026].

South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), n.d. Helplines and Resources. [online] Available at: https://www.sadag.org [Accessed June 2026].

Employee Assistance Professionals Association of South Africa (EAPA-SA), 2015. Standards for Employee Assistance Programmes in South Africa. 4th ed. Johannesburg: EAPA-SA.

This article offers general information and support. It is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are in crisis, contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567 or SAPS on 10111. Your information is handled in line with POPIA; health information is treated as Special Personal Information.