NGB and NSFAS declare war on gambling crisis
Emergency Alliance
The National Gambling Board (NGB) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have launched a strategic counter-offensive against the growing normalisation of gambling, threatening to derail a generation of students and squander public education funds.
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IN AN unprecedented emergency alliance, the National Gambling Board (NGB) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have launched a strategic counter-offensive against the “growing normalisation of gambling” threatening to derail a generation of students and squander public education funds.
The joint declaration, issued this week, pulls no punches: financial pressure, aggressive digital advertising, ease of online access, and targeted promotional offers have created a perfect storm, driving increased gambling participation among youth with devastating consequences for “academic performance, financial stability, and overall well-being”.
“NSFAS funding is intended to support students’ educational journey and essential living needs,” reads a joint statement issued by the two bodies.
The stark warning comes as both agencies confront the “unintended use of student allowances for gambling activities”, particularly on illegal online platforms. The partnership is framed not as a suggestion, but as a vital intervention to safeguard the very purpose of state-funded education.
“When these funds are diverted to gambling, it can undermine academic success and long-term financial well-being.” Acting chief executive of NSFAS, Waseem Carrim, made the mandate clear: “This partnership focuses on prevention, awareness, and empowering students to make informed choices that support their future.”
The collaboration is a direct response to research indicating that young people are increasingly exposed to gambling through digital channels. The NGB and NSFAS said they shared a “strong commitment to consumer protection, harm minimisation, and safeguarding vulnerable groups, particularly young people and students”.
“This partnership prioritises the protection of young people through harm reduction approaches that prevent the development of harmful gambling behaviours,” the statement read.
Acting chief executive of the NGB, Lungile Dukwana, pinpointed the modern vectors of risk: “Particular attention will be given to the growing normalisation of gambling through digital advertising platforms, social media, and mobile applications, which increasingly affects students.”
The two entities said they would formalise this collaboration in the coming weeks through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a governance framework for joint interventions.
The stated purpose is unambiguous: “Promote responsible gambling awareness among students; discourage the misuse of NSFAS-funded allowances for gambling, including illegal online gambling; and strengthen preventative education and early intervention initiatives across universities and TVET colleges.”
The operational blueprint is aggressive and nationwide. Through this partnership, the NGB and NSFAS will jointly:
- Implement nationwide outreach and on-campus education programmes.
- Deliver targeted education and awareness campaigns on financial literacy and the risks of online and illegal gambling.
- Engage students through workshops, dialogues, and on-campus activations focused on prevention, harm reduction, and informed decision making.
- Share information, within the framework of applicable legislation, to strengthen education, monitoring, and preventative interventions.
NSFAS reaffirmed its core mandate: “Enabling access to education and supporting student success by providing funding for tuition, accommodation, meals, and essential learning needs.”
The NGB reiterated its duty: “Ensuring that gambling operates fairly, transparently, and in accordance with national laws and that the public, including minors and vulnerable persons, are protected from the risks and socioeconomic impact of gambling.”
The partnership underscores a shared, non-negotiable commitment: “To support student success and well-being, protect students from gambling-related harm, safeguard public education funds, and promote responsible behaviour and informed financial decision-making.”
The campaign's rallying cry is both a promise and a warning:
- Expanding access to education while protecting students from gambling-related harm and promoting responsible decision-making.
- Your skill is the bag; don't gamble with it.