SARGF Awards Recognises Champions Driving Change in Responsible Gambling
Johannesburg came alive on 13 and 14 November as the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) Awards brought together leaders, treatment professionals, regulators, operators, and community partners. The ceremony, held during the Responsible Gambling Summit 2025, celebrated individuals and organisations whose dedication is shaping safer, more accountable gambling environments across South Africa and beyond.
This year’s awards came at a critical time for the industry. Gambling in South Africa generates over R1.5 trillion in turnover and R75 billion in gross gaming revenue, underscoring its economic importance. Yet rising problem gambling rates now estimated at 31%, highlight the urgent need for education, responsible practices, and collaboration, values that the SARGF Awards aim to champion.
Some of the evening’s most moving moments came from personal stories of triumph. Brenda van de Klerk and Oscar Bishop were honoured for reaching 18 months of gambling remission, while Roman Ntimbana celebrated his first full year in recovery. Long-standing contributors to the National Responsible Gambling Programme were also recognised. Camagwini Hafi, Mulalo Mahlophe, Lucricia Nkambule, and Erna Howell were celebrated for six to seven years of dedication, quietly strengthening the programme’s ability to support individuals and families affected by gambling harm.
Read Also: Gaming Industry Comes Together For Safe Playing Space
Excellence in treatment services was another highlight. External professionals such as Kwelani Thamaga, Lucia Tshilidzi, and Mulalo Mahlophe were recognised for outstanding performance, while internal team members such as Zizipho Totsholo, Khodani Masia, and Tshifhiwa Siabana were applauded for their exceptional commitment to client care. Facilities like Elim Clinic and Ixande Rehab were acknowledged for their essential role in supporting inpatient admissions.
The awards also highlighted industry partners demonstrating responsibility beyond regulatory obligations. The Hollywood Foundation, powered by Hollywoodbets, earned praise for initiatives that exceed licensing requirements, while Hollywoodbets Limpopo was recognised for a strong Employee Assistance Programme focused on staff well-being.
Training and education remained a central focus of the awards. Major operators across casinos, LPMs, bingo, bookmakers, and betting including Sun City, Montecasino, Gold Rush Slots, VSlots, Galaxy Bingo, Topbet, BetXchange, and Betfred were recognised for consistently engaging in responsible gambling training and fostering a culture of care within their teams. Operators such as Spinners Gaming Mthatha, Triple 7 Slots, Decatex Gaming Enterprise, Tsogo Sun Play Tsogo, YesPlay, and 4Racing were celebrated for their commitment to building safer gambling environments from the ground up. Bet Chats SA received a special mention for its efforts in educating players about responsible betting, helping to raise awareness across the wider betting community.
Regulators played a pivotal role in this year’s recognitions. The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, Eastern Cape Gambling Board, and Mpumalanga Economic Regulator were honoured for collaborative oversight efforts. The Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and North West Gambling Boards were recognised for impactful public awareness initiatives, while the Eastern Cape Gambling Board, National Gambling Board, and Gauteng Gambling Board received accolades for effective responsible gambling messaging in advertising and public relations campaigns.
Industry campaigns also stood out for putting players first. Betway’s responsible advertising, Hollywoodbets’ marketing leadership, and SuperSportBet’s PR initiatives demonstrated a commitment to transparency and care. SuperSportBet, Betway, and Sun International Sun City were recognised for embedding player protection directly into the customer experience, while Sun International Sun City and Sportradar earned praise for using technology and AI in innovative ways to keep players safer.
The awards also included a deeply meaningful tribute as Mr. David Webster received the Lifetime Achievement Recognition Award, honouring his decades-long dedication to advancing responsible gambling and advocacy in South Africa. His recognition served as a reminder of the people, passion, and perseverance that continue to drive the industry forward.
