Play responsibly

Free help, any time

The programme is run by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation. The call is free and confidential, and a counsellor can assess what is going on and refer you to treatment at no cost. More at responsiblegambling.org.za.

If you feel hopeless or have thoughts of suicide, call the SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567, toll-free and open 24 hours.

Before you redeem any code

Bonus codes are built to keep you playing. Wagering is counted in bets, not in losses, so a free chip or a match bonus asks for many rounds of play before anything can be withdrawn. A few habits keep that in proportion:

• Decide what you can afford to lose before you redeem anything, and stop when it is gone.
• Never deposit to rescue a bonus balance or to finish wagering you would not otherwise do.
• Do not borrow, use money meant for bills, or play to fix money problems.
• Take breaks, keep an eye on the time, and do not play when you are upset, tired or drinking.
• Treat winnings as luck, not income. Over time the games take more than they pay out.

Warning signs worth taking seriously: spending more or longer than you meant to, hiding gambling from people close to you, feeling restless when you are not playing, or chasing losses. If any of these sound familiar, the NRGP line above is the place to start.

Springbok's own limits and self-exclusion

Springbok's responsible gaming page says players can set daily or monthly deposit limits and can self-exclude for a period of their choice, with a minimum of one month. Both are arranged by contacting Springbok rather than through a settings page, so ask its live chat or email help@springbokcasino.co.za and keep the reply.

A limit set with Springbok applies only to your Springbok account. If you play anywhere else, set limits there too, and talk to an NRGP counsellor if one account closing just moves the play somewhere new.

What free treatment looks like

Help is not only a phone call. After a first assessment, the Foundation offers people with a gambling problem eight free outpatient sessions, with up to two more where a clinician recommends them. You do not need to have hit rock bottom to ask: if gambling worries you, that is reason enough to call.

Family members can get support too. Living with someone who gambles is hard, and the same free line on 0800 006 008 and WhatsApp on 076 675 0710 are open to partners, parents and friends who want to know how to help.

Taking a break that sticks

Fewer reminders make a break easier. These steps cost nothing and work alongside Springbok's own exclusion:

• Unsubscribe from casino emails and turn off message alerts, so inbox coupons stop arriving.
• Remove saved card details and saved passwords for casino sites from your browser and phone.
• Tell someone you trust what you are doing, and ask them to check in with you.
• Fill the time you used to spend playing with something planned, especially at the times you used to play.
• Plan the break with an NRGP counsellor on the free line; they can help you work out how long it should be and what to do if the urge comes back.

If you slip, it is not the end of the break. Call the line, tell Springbok's support you want the exclusion to stay in place, and start again from there.