5% of youth regular gamblers

2005-07-20 10:42

Johannesburg - Almost half of 4 000 school pupils surveyed across the country admitted they had gambled, a national gambling board (NGB) survey has revealed.

The report found that five percent of young South Africans gambled regularly, most on the national lottery, advocate Tibbs Majake, chief executive officer of the board said.

"Parents and teachers are underestimating the danger and social impact of adolescent gambling in South Africa," Majake said.

"We are also concerned that adolescents are finding it possible to lay bets in more controlled environments such as casinos,"

Majake was responding to the findings of a 2004/5 report on youth gambling produced by Wits University, and commissioned by the board.

Out of 4 000 pupils in grades 10 to 12, at 28 schools, almost 46% admitted to having gambled.

The most common forms of gambling were the Lotto, at nine percent, sports bets, at five percent, and scratch cards, at 4.5 percent.

It was also found that 1.4 percent gambled on the internet and 1.4 percent at casinos.

Race also proved to be a factor. Of the students who spent R200 or more on gambling, 27% were Indian, 20% white, 18% coloured and 8.5 percent black.

The province with the highest adolescent gambling on the lottery was the Northern Cape. Mpumalanga and North West pupils were three times more likely to gamble than their peers across the country.

Banned

The research also found that youngsters did not see gambling as immoral, with only 13% of respondents saying gambling should be banned.

Majake said that while the levels were in line with international norms, there was clearly a core of pupils who were at risk of problem gambling in future.

"Participation in most forms of gambling has remained stable," she said, comparing the findings to previous years.

"But the proportion of adolescents gambling on the lottery is increasing. There has also been an increase in informal gambling and 'fight betting' that sometimes forms part of initiation procedures among adolescent males."

She explained that this kind of betting took place near schools or on specially designated and isolated portions of school property.

Meanwhile, the percentage of pupils gambling at casinos was highest in the North West and lowest in the Western Cape. When it came to horse racing, Mpumalanga had the highest number of youngsters placing bets.

The research also found that pupils who lived with both parents were less likely to gamble.

Majake said the board had "recognised the dangers of adolescent gambling" and was cooperating in awareness campaigns.

Since 2002, 55 200 pupils at 177 schools received education about the risks of gambling.

"The conclusion is that South African youth gamblers display characteristics of multiple addiction," she said.

- SAPA