Sun International wants to bar Nsfas, Sassa recipients from online gambling, but here’s the challenge
The group notes that gambling can cause problems at home, affecting finances and mental health.
Sun International aims to prohibit National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) beneficiaries and South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant recipients from engaging in online gambling, but faces challenges in enforcing such restrictions. The company unveiled its Responsible Gambling Charter on October 13, 2026, amid growing concerns that youth are using funds intended for education and basic needs for gambling.
These funds include Nsfas grants for students and Sassa's Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants, which provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SRD grant, introduced during the pandemic, provides temporary financial support to unemployed adults who do not receive other social grants.
South Africans aged 18 to 59 receive this grant, valued at R370 per month. Ulrik Bengtsson, Sun International's CEO, stated that while most gambling is recreational, some individuals experience negative consequences at home, in social life, financially, or mentally. The Charter acknowledges problem gambling and outlines measures for licensed operators to mitigate risks, including collaborating with regulators and stakeholders.
The initiative seeks to safeguard youth from the detrimental effects of gambling, as most gamblers are unemployed youth. Sun International plans to restrict Nsfas-funded students and Sassa recipients from creating online accounts, but this depends on customers accurately declaring their income sources.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
