Your wellbeing matters more than any wager.

Last updated: April 2026

Our responsible gambling commitment

Gambling, at its best, is a form of entertainment — a small part of a life that has many other good things in it. When it is enjoyed within limits, by adults who can afford it, it belongs to the rich tradition of South African horse racing and the country’s wider sporting culture. 4Racing is committed to keeping it that way.

We operate under the oversight of the Gauteng Gambling Board and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, and we support — financially and operationally — the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) run by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation. The NRGP provides free, confidential counselling and treatment to anyone in South Africa whose gambling is causing them harm, and free support to their families.

This page explains what responsible gambling means, how to recognise the signs of a gambling problem, and the help available if you or someone you know needs it. If you are already in trouble and want to speak to someone, please call 0800 006 008 — now, or any time. The line is free, it is confidential, and it runs around the clock.

Recognising the signs

A gambling problem does not always look the way it does in films. More often it begins quietly — a tipped balance in an afternoon, a missed bill, a row about money that is really about something else. Clinicians who specialise in problem gambling point to a small set of recurring warning signs. The more of these that are true for you, or for someone you care about, the stronger the case for reaching out.

If these signs are true for someone you love, the NRGP supports families too. You do not need to be the one gambling to call 0800 006 008.

Self-exclusion: when you want the decision made for you

Self-exclusion is a formal, binding request to be barred from gambling for a set period — typically six months. Once you are excluded, licensed operators in your province are required to refuse you service, and the NRGP provides free counselling during the exclusion period. Both the NRGP (nationally) and the Gauteng Gambling Board (for Gauteng-licensed operators) run self-exclusion programmes, and both can be started without a visit to a venue.

Age restrictions

Gambling in South Africa is for adults only. You must be 18 years or older to gamble. 4Racing does not knowingly allow anyone under the age of 18 onto a betting platform or into a venue betting area, and our betting partners apply strict age-verification checks at registration. If you are a parent or guardian concerned about an underage person’s gambling, please contact the NRGP helpline on 0800 006 008.

Our responsibilities as an operator

As a licensed gambling operator in the Republic of South Africa, we accept the following responsibilities:

• Clear communication. We display responsible gambling warnings across our platforms and in our advertising, as required by provincial gambling law. Every advertisement we produce carries the age-18 warning and the NRGP helpline number.
• Age verification. Our betting partners apply identity and age verification at registration, and refuse service to anyone unable to prove they are 18 years or older.
• Self-exclusion honoured. We honour every formal self-exclusion request lodged through the NRGP or a relevant provincial regulator, for the full duration of the exclusion.
• Staff trained. Our operations staff receive training in responsible gambling, including how to recognise the signs of problem gambling and how to refer a customer to the NRGP.
• No targeting of vulnerable audiences. Our marketing does not target minors, persons who have self-excluded, or individuals we have reason to believe are gambling harmfully.
• Support for the NRGP. We contribute financially to the National Responsible Gambling Programme, which funds the free helpline, treatment and research that make a meaningful difference to people and families affected by problem gambling.

Additional resources

The organisations and agencies below provide further information, support, and formal oversight of gambling in South Africa:

• South African Responsible Gambling Foundation / NRGP — helpline, counselling, self-exclusion and family support.
• National Gambling Board of South Africa — national gambling policy and oversight.
• Gauteng Gambling Board — provincial regulator for our Turffontein and Vaal operations.
• Mpumalanga Economic Regulator — provincial regulator for our Mpumalanga-licensed operations.