SportPesa, in partnership with national and provincial authorities, hosted a three-day responsible gambling awareness programme for more than 250 students at the University of the Free State. Held from 6 to 8 May 2026, the workshops aimed to teach young people about the risks of excessive betting and to encourage open conversations about student mental health and overall wellbeing.
The sessions brought together law enforcement officials, gambling regulators, university leadership and students to focus on education, harm reduction and compliance with South Africa’s gambling regulations. A key part of the programme was helping students recognize the early warning signs of problem gambling.
Participants discussed how casual betting can gradually become harmful—for example, using money meant for essential living expenses, skipping classes to follow matches, or repeatedly trying to recover losses. Identifying these patterns early gives students a chance to seek help before gambling begins to disrupt their studies or personal lives.
The workshops also highlighted the consequences that can accompany compulsive betting. Facilitators explained how rising financial pressure can contribute to anxiety, affect academic performance and lead to social withdrawal as students try to hide losses from family and friends.
By creating space for these discussions, the programme helped students understand how betting-related stress can affect concentration, emotional wellbeing and preparation for exams. Along with awareness, the training offered practical tools for responsible behavior. Students received guidance on financial literacy, including setting clear spending limits, treating gambling strictly as entertainment rather than a source of income, and using support options such as self-exclusion features and time-management controls within betting platforms.
The goal was to help participants enjoy recreational activities responsibly while protecting their academic priorities. Stakeholders agreed that regulators, law enforcement and universities all play an important role in protecting young adults from gambling-related harm.
SportPesa said the initiative reflects its wider commitment to player welfare, community support and long-term development. The company also emphasized the value of sustained partnerships, noting that prevention and education are becoming more effective when universities and students take center stage, rather than relying only on operator-led messaging. This collaboration at the University of the Free State is an example of how targeted education can help reduce gambling-related harm and support healthier lifestyles among South Africa’s youth.
