How online betting is destroying young people's lives in South Africa | DW Reporter

Sisanda Lwana lost over 7000 Euros betting online - and overcame her addiction. Her story brings to light the dark side of the gambling industry.

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The dream of getting rich quick is an appealing one to millions in South Africa. But for many, betting leads only to debt and addiction. Almost a third of those who gamble are addicted in the country. Community health care worker Sisanda Lwana from Johannesburg managed to overcome her addiction. After years of struggling with debt, she found her way out with the help of a support group. Today she supports others with similar struggles. Gift Rikhotso lives in Pretoria, and is currently trying to turn his life around – without gambling. Their stories reflect a Sisanda Lwana lost over 7000 Euros betting online - and overcame her addiction. Her story brings to light the dark side of the gambling industry. The dream of getting rich quick is an appealing one to millions in South Africa. But for many, betting leads only to debt and addiction. Almost a third of those who gamble are addicted in the country. Community health care worker Sisanda Lwana from Johannesburg managed to overcome her addiction. After years of struggling with debt, she found her way out with the help of a support group. Today she supports others with similar struggles. Gift Rikhotso lives in Pretoria, and is currently trying to turn his life around – without gambling. Their stories reflect a growing trend in the country: online gambling is booming ever since the onset of the COVID-pandemic. In just a few years the industry has tripled in size, so the government is planning a new tax on online betting. However, critics doubt that financial measures alone will solve the issue, and are calling for more restrictions on advertising and online gambling as a whole.

Chapters:

00:00 The dream of fast money 01:06 How Sisanda developed an addiction 03:08 How online gambling becomes a debt trap 04:45 The fight for a normal life 05:05 Behind the gambling boom in South Africa 06:49 How could a new gambling tax help? 08:08 Gambling addiction destroys lives 10:47 Other means of managing the crisis 11:29 Hope for those addicted

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