The Hollywood Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible gambling through a multi-year partnership with the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF), investing more than R2.3 million to date in counselling services and national education initiatives.
This ongoing collaboration has significantly strengthened the Taking Risks Wisely Programme, an educational and awareness campaign aimed at empowering young South Africans to make informed decisions around risk-taking behaviour, particularly illegal underage gambling. The initiative continues to extend its reach into classrooms, communities, and professional support services across the country.
Now in its third year, our investment in the programme continues to grow, with five dedicated counsellors supporting the national helpline and 83 schools identified for outreach in 2025. Implementation has already commenced in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces, as the Hollywood Foundation and SARGF continue their drive to promote responsible choices through education.
The partnership began in 2023 with a focus on establishing foundational support. That year, funding was directed towards a full-time counsellor on the national responsible gambling helpline, resulting in 119 problem gambling referrals and 952 individual counselling sessions.
In 2024, the programme expanded significantly. With two counsellors in place, the helpline facilitated 355 referrals and 2,848 sessions. The Taking Risks Wisely campaign was also introduced in 72 schools across all nine provinces, reaching an impressive 75,360 learners and 2,461 teachers. Provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Western Cape recorded the highest levels of participation, reflecting the programme’s growing national footprint and relevance.
“The Hollywood Foundation remains committed in its mission to empower communities through education, accessibility, and early intervention. We believe responsible gambling is a community imperative, which is why we support awareness initiatives as part of our broader community development strategy,” said Vuyisile Ngobese, Public Relations Officer at the Hollywood Foundation. “Through this partnership, we’re creating safer spaces for conversations, support, and sustainable choices.”
With its continued investment and proactive stance, the Hollywood Foundation is helping lead the way in responsible gambling advocacy, creating lasting impact through education and support where it’s needed most.
“The support that the SARGF has received from the Hollywood Foundation over the past 3 years has enabled us to scale the Taking Risk Wisely Schools Programme, Gambling in South Africa under the age of 18 is illegal, however, this does not completely shield learners of school-going age from the adverse impact of disordered and irresponsible gambling. The programme provides an opportunity for counselling services to minors (under the age of 18 through parental or legal guardian consent) who may be impacted directly by illegal underage gambling or the potential harmful effects of problem gambling within the home through the 24/7 National Responsible Gambling Programme toll- free counselling line,” said Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director at the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.
