Reflections on responsible gaming ahead of SARG Summit 2025
The South African Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 will take place at the Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, from 13-14 November; it intends to set in motion responsible gambling practices across the continent. Held by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) in collaboration with some regulatory partners such as the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulator Authority, Limpopo Gambling Board, and National Gambling Board, this summit will be a vital forum for leading experts, public policymakers, industry leaders, and NGOs to address issues making headlines in responsible gambling.
“Looking back to when legalised gambling became operational in South Africa in the late 1990s, it’s clear that early industry conferences lacked a dedicated focus on responsible gambling. In fact, there were even instances where the topic was left off the agenda entirely. This was a mistake, not only stating that with the benefit of hindsight, but because even at the time, we knew better.
“Before the first casino opened under the new gambling legislation in 1999, the issue of problem gambling was already acknowledged. The foundation for legalised gambling in South Africa can be traced back to the 1995 Wiehahn Report on Gambling in South Africa, which clearly warned: ‘The legalisation of gambling will eventually bring with it certain social consequences including problem gambling,'” Robin Bennett, Head of Compliance at the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board told SiGMA.
With the gambling environment changing in South Africa, topics like fair regulation, technology-driven solutions, and public health partnerships will all be on the summit’s agenda. Participants should expect a variety of activities including presentations, panels, and workshops with mental health professionals, regulators, and technology innovators.
The importance of responsible gambling summits
Responsible gambling summits serve as an essential way to create awareness while addressing responsible gambling-related challenges. Robin Bennett said that previous industry conferences have often failed to concentrate on responsible gambling. He reminisced about the early days of legalised gambling in South Africa, noting the late 1990s were “not focused on responsible gambling-related topics by those in the industry.”
“The first Responsible Gambling (RG) Summit wasn’t held until 2015, hosted by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. The next one only took place eight years later, in 2023. That long gap is telling—and problematic—especially now, as we face increasing concerns about the prevalence of problem gambling, particularly in the fast-paced betting sector,” Bennett said.
It is, therefore, critical that responsible gambling summits become a regular and ongoing activity. These events differ from general gambling conferences, which cover other topics from business development to market strategies. Responsible Gambling Summits are unique in providing an environment that focuses strictly and solely on the practices of responsible gambling. A broad portfolio of stakeholders is brought together: regulators, operators, treatment professionals, and policy influencers, all who build up a vibrant environment for collaboration and exchange of knowledge.
Commenting on the very nature of the events, Bennett clarifies, “While most gambling conferences include a wide variety of themes, from business development and client engagement to market expansion, responsible gambling summits are unique. They gather stakeholders with a shared focus: learning and sharing best practices in responsible gambling.”
Collaboration and accountability: the way forward
Gambling continues to expand in South Africa and elsewhere, indicating the need to prioritise responsible gambling practices. Failure to address the concerns accompanied by the expansion of the industry could lead to implications affecting not only individual players but also serving as a setback for the industry. Robin noted that “not rejuvenating responsible gambling could conceivably become an entry barrier to a prospective license holder.”
Thus each Responsible Gambling Summit seeks to break fresh ground in terms of creating implementable insights and tangible action plans for urging stakeholders to promote responsible gambling practices effectively across their respective jurisdictions. Monitoring of progress towards these initiatives ensures that a culture of accountability will not be lacking.
Robin stressed the importance of learning from a global perspective, “Consider the Global Gaming Expo. Every year, the Responsible Gambling Conference comes just before it. While much of the conference focuses on treatment and addiction, it provides some good thinking on policy and regulation and the risks that are arising from new games or changes in legislation.”
The summit will press policymakers to align their intentions for tackling gambling-related harm with global standards; it is, therefore, meant to, without reservations, pull a wide range of essential insights for the sustenance of the gambling industry’s integrity and the community’s well-being.
Ultimately, the Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 will mark a significant step toward cultivating a sustainable industry for gambling in Africa. Talking constructively, sharing best practices, and meeting the challenges would undoubtedly yield a healthier gambling environment.
