Debt review can reduce your monthly debt payments by up to 50%, stop creditor calls, and protect your assets — while you address the gambling. Free, confidential assessment.
South Africans wagered over R1.5 trillion in 2024/25 — that is R4 billion every single day. With the explosion of online sports betting through apps like Betway, Hollywoodbets, and Supabets, gambling has become accessible to anyone with a phone. The result is a debt crisis that is destroying lives, relationships, and financial futures.
wagered by South Africans in 2024/25
South Africans gambling at problematic levels
increase in gambling helpline calls in one year
Gambling debt does not happen overnight. It follows a predictable pattern that traps people deeper and deeper:
You start betting small amounts — wins feel exciting and losses feel manageable.
Losses accumulate. You bet bigger to try and win back what you have lost ("chasing losses").
You start using credit cards, personal loans, or overdrafts to fund gambling.
You borrow from family or take out more credit to cover gambling debts and living expenses.
You cannot meet your monthly debt repayments. Creditors start calling. The stress becomes overwhelming.
You are not alone. 83.7% of problem gamblers are accumulating more debt. 36% of gamblers say they gamble to try to pay off debts — which only makes the problem worse. If this sounds familiar, there is a way out.
Debt review is a legal process under the National Credit Act that restructures your debts into one affordable monthly payment. For people with gambling debt, it offers immediate relief:
Your monthly debt repayments are reduced by up to 50%. This frees up money for essentials like rent, food, and transport.
No more threatening phone calls, SMS messages, or letters. All communication goes through your debt counsellor.
Your car, home, and belongings are legally protected from repossession by a court order.
Your debt counsellor negotiates reduced interest rates with your creditors, so more of your payment goes to the actual debt.
Instead of juggling multiple creditors, you make one payment that covers everything. Simplicity and control.
You get a clear timeline for becoming completely debt-free. Most clients complete debt review within 3-5 years.
If any of these apply to you, do not wait. The longer gambling debt goes unaddressed, the worse it gets. Take the over-indebtedness self-assessment →
Debt review addresses the financial damage, but lasting recovery also requires addressing the gambling behaviour. We recommend a two-pronged approach:
Apply for debt review to get your finances under control. This stops creditor harassment, reduces your payments, and gives you breathing room.
Contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) on 0800 006 008 for free, confidential counselling. They offer therapy, support groups, and referral to professionals.
You can voluntarily exclude yourself from gambling platforms and venues. Contact the National Gambling Board on 010 003 3475 to register.
Delete betting apps from your phone. Ask your bank to block transactions to gambling companies. Remove the temptation.
0800 006 008
Free, 24/7 gambling helpline. Counselling and referrals.
076 675 0710
Send "help" for gambling support via WhatsApp.
010 003 3475
Self-exclusion from gambling venues and platforms.
0800 567 567
Free mental health support for gambling-related stress.
Asking for help takes courage. Gambling debt carries shame and secrecy, but millions of South Africans are in the same situation. Taking the first step — whether that is calling a helpline or getting a free debt assessment — is the hardest part. Everything gets easier from there.
Common questions about gambling debt and debt review in South Africa.
A free, confidential assessment can show you how to reduce your debt payments and start recovering. No judgement — just solutions.
