Latest news with #SouthAfricanResponsibleGamblingFoundation
The South African
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Durban July 2025: Full Guide with Race Predictions & Betting Tips
The Hollywoodbets Durban July 2025 returns on 5 July with top contenders, style competitions, and betting tips that could make your day. The Hollywoodbets Durban July 2025 is South Africa's most celebrated horse racing event, attracting over 50,000 racegoers for a day of thrilling competition and cultural celebration. Taking place at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, this Grade 1 handicap race will see 18 of the country's top thoroughbreds battle it out for a R5 million grand prize over a 2200m stretch. While the action on the track is world-class, the Durban July is a full-scale experience. The event features dazzling fashion shows, vibrant marquee villages, and a celebration of local flair under the official theme: 'Marvels of Mzansi.' The fashion competitions, like the Best-Dressed Marquee, create a runway as dazzling as the racetrack itself, celebrating local designers and attracting celebrities from across the country. We've crunched the latest odds and form data to bring you the most promising picks. Based on expert analysis, here are our top tips for race day: 💥 NAP Pick: Eight On Eighteen (7/4) Trained by Justin Snaith and ridden by Richard Fourie, this contender is in peak form. His 57kg weight and barrier 11 draw give him room to close strong. 🔒 NB Pick: Oriental Charm (5/1) Last year's winner returns under trainer James Crawford. His experience at Greyville and proven class make him a reliable bet for at least a podium finish. 🎯 Outsider to Watch: On My Honour (40/1) If you're after a long-shot with big payout potential, keep an eye on Glen Kotzen's gelding. His stamina could be a game-changer if the pace is fast. 🔢 Suggested Bets: For a calculated approach, consider an Exacta with Eight On Eighteen to win and Oriental Charm to place second. For a shot at a bigger payout, a Trifecta box including these two and On My Honour is a strong value bet. You can explore these exciting options and check the latest odds on Hollywoodbets. Betting is part of the fun, but always bet responsibly. Set a budget before you start and stick to it. Platforms like Hollywoodbets offer deposit limits and self-exclusion tools to help you stay in control. If you or someone you know needs support, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation is there for you. As the title sponsor, Hollywoodbets offers one of the most comprehensive and exciting platforms for enjoying the race. New users can register now to explore the markets and take advantage of welcome offers specifically tailored for the Durban July. Experience the pinnacle of South African racing directly with the brand that makes it all happen. This article was written by: Tim Mirroman Tim Mirroman is a leading racing analyst and content strategist, specialising in South Africa's premier sporting events. His data-first approach to predictions has been featured in several sports betting publications. Tim is dedicated to providing bettors with clear, actionable insights to enhance their betting strategy for major events like the Durban July.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Breaking the silence with an online support group for gambling addiction
As gambling addiction tightens its grip on individuals and families across South Africa, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation ( SARGF) is responding with a pioneering digital support programme aimed at breaking the cycle of isolation and stigma. In its first year, the National Responsible Gambling Programme's ( NRGP) online support group has helped more than 400 people find their footing on the road to recovery - offering a rare sense of community in a space often marked by secrecy and shame. This initiative draws on the Ubuntu philosophy – 'I am because we are' – to dismantle barriers of isolation and foster a sustainable ecosystem of peer-driven recovery. As a condition increasingly recognised as a mental health disorder, it is detailed that problem gambling often leads individuals into debilitating cycles of shame, grief, and isolation, adversely affecting not just themselves but their families and communities. The foundation shares with Saturday Star that its approach is designed to dismantle these barriers, creating a safe, judgement-free space for individuals to openly share their struggles and collaboratively navigate the difficult path to recovery. Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director of SARGF, emphasises the role of this support group, stating, 'Our support group is more than a resource; it's a lifeline. By embracing Ubuntu, we remind participants that healing thrives in community. The courage to say, 'I need help,' is met with immediate support from peers who truly understand, proving that solidarity can achieve what therapy alone often cannot.' To make it easier for people to get help no matter where they are, the group uses WhatsApp to chat in real time and holds online meetings every Saturday on Microsoft Teams . These virtual sessions are designed to build an interconnected community, characterised by shared stories, effective coping strategies, and accountability checks. Participants laud the platform's 24/7 availability as critical in resisting urges: 'At 2 am, when guilt and anxiety tighten their grip, there's always someone to pull me back from the edge. Knowing I'm not alone makes the impossible feel possible,' says Simelane-Quntana. The NRGP model also aligns with legally mandated recovery pathways outlined in South Africa's National Gambling Act of 2004. This includes measures such as voluntary self-exclusion, enabling individuals to block their gambling access for a minimum of six months while committing to counselling; in the financial year 2024/2025, 4 166 referrals were managed, with 902 specifically for self-exclusions. Another approach, third-party exclusion, allows family members or dependants to petition the courts for gambling restrictions on individuals struggling with addiction. While some people were initially hesitant to join due to stigma and anxiety, the group's anonymous nature has helped more individuals feel safe enough to reach out. Many members have since shared positive progress, staying away from gambling for six months or more as they focus on healing relationships and improving their finances. The SARGF says it plans to broaden access through regional support hubs and strategic partnerships with local leaders. 'Relapse prevention requires innovation. Our vision is a nationwide web of support rooted in shared humanity where every individual can reclaim their future.' With an unwavering commitment to empowering lives, the SARGF is redefining the landscape of recovery, proving that together, healing and support can illuminate even the darkest of paths.' Saturday Star [email protected]
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Breaking the silence with an online support group for gambling addiction
The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has revealed a landmark success in its National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), announcing that over 400 individuals have benefitted from its innovative online support group in its first year. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has revealed a landmark success in its National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), announcing that over 400 individuals have benefitted from its innovative online support group in its first year. As gambling addiction tightens its grip on individuals and families across South Africa, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) is responding with a pioneering digital support programme aimed at breaking the cycle of isolation and stigma. In its first year, the National Responsible Gambling Programme's (NRGP) online support group has helped more than 400 people find their footing on the road to recovery - offering a rare sense of community in a space often marked by secrecy and shame. This initiative draws on the Ubuntu philosophy – 'I am because we are' – to dismantle barriers of isolation and foster a sustainable ecosystem of peer-driven recovery. As a condition increasingly recognised as a mental health disorder, it is detailed that problem gambling often leads individuals into debilitating cycles of shame, grief, and isolation, adversely affecting not just themselves but their families and communities. The foundation shares with Saturday Star that its approach is designed to dismantle these barriers, creating a safe, judgement-free space for individuals to openly share their struggles and collaboratively navigate the difficult path to recovery. Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director of SARGF, emphasises the role of this support group, stating, 'Our support group is more than a resource; it's a lifeline. By embracing Ubuntu, we remind participants that healing thrives in community. The courage to say, 'I need help,' is met with immediate support from peers who truly understand, proving that solidarity can achieve what therapy alone often cannot.' To make it easier for people to get help no matter where they are, the group uses WhatsApp to chat in real time and holds online meetings every Saturday on Microsoft Teams. These virtual sessions are designed to build an interconnected community, characterised by shared stories, effective coping strategies, and accountability checks. Participants laud the platform's 24/7 availability as critical in resisting urges: 'At 2 am, when guilt and anxiety tighten their grip, there's always someone to pull me back from the edge. Knowing I'm not alone makes the impossible feel possible,' says Simelane-Quntana. The NRGP model also aligns with legally mandated recovery pathways outlined in South Africa's National Gambling Act of 2004. This includes measures such as voluntary self-exclusion, enabling individuals to block their gambling access for a minimum of six months while committing to counselling; in the financial year 2024/2025, 4 166 referrals were managed, with 902 specifically for self-exclusions. Another approach, third-party exclusion, allows family members or dependants to petition the courts for gambling restrictions on individuals struggling with addiction. While some people were initially hesitant to join due to stigma and anxiety, the group's anonymous nature has helped more individuals feel safe enough to reach out. Many members have since shared positive progress, staying away from gambling for six months or more as they focus on healing relationships and improving their finances. The SARGF says it plans to broaden access through regional support hubs and strategic partnerships with local leaders. 'Relapse prevention requires innovation. Our vision is a nationwide web of support rooted in shared humanity where every individual can reclaim their future.' With an unwavering commitment to empowering lives, the SARGF is redefining the landscape of recovery, proving that together, healing and support can illuminate even the darkest of paths.' Saturday Star
