YesPlay is dedicated to providing a safe, enjoyable, and responsible betting experience for all our users. We follow the guidelines set by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) to ensure that our customers gamble responsibly. To help you avoid the risks of excessive play, we’ve outlined some essential information on responsible gambling.
1. What is Gambling Addiction and What are the Signs?
A problem gambler is someone who continues to gamble despite the negative consequences, including financial loss, family issues, and personal distress. Gambling addiction can result in severe consequences such as debt, loss of assets, fraud, theft, and even job loss. It can also lead to stress and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.
Here are some common warning signs of gambling addiction:
- Constantly thinking about gambling
- Gambling to escape from personal problems
- Betting more and more to recover previous losses
- Chasing after losses
- Lying about gambling activities or hiding them from loved ones
- Gambling negatively impacting your family, work, social life, or education
- Attempting to quit but being unsuccessful
- Feeling irritated when trying to stop or reduce gambling
- Borrowing money to gamble or engaging in illegal activities to fund gambling
2. National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP)
Gambling regulators acknowledge the potential negative impact of gambling on individuals and society. As a result, the SARGF oversees the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), which works with operators and regulators to offer support to those struggling with gambling problems.
The NRGP provides free counseling, treatment, and educational resources. It also allows individuals to opt-out from gambling activities to prevent addiction.
If you think you may have a gambling problem, YesPlay encourages you to reach out to the NRGP for support. You can contact their toll-free helpline at 0800 006 008, send a message on WhatsApp to 076 675 0710, or visit responsiblegambling.org.za for resources and counseling guides.
3. What is Self-Exclusion and How to Request It?
If you feel you are gambling excessively or struggling to control your betting habits, YesPlay supports the NRGP’s self-exclusion plan. Self-exclusion allows players to temporarily or permanently block themselves from gambling activities.
To request self-exclusion, you can choose from the following options:
- Temporary suspension: Your account will be suspended for 1 to 3 months (you specify the duration).
- Permanent self-exclusion: Your account will be closed for 6 months.
When you are self-excluded, you will not be able to deposit funds, place any bets, or receive marketing notifications from YesPlay.
If you request permanent self-exclusion, any remaining balance in your account will be returned, and your account will be suspended.
To ensure YesPlay accounts remain secure, we’ve implemented safeguards in the registration and banking processes to prevent self-excluded users from opening additional accounts.
How to Request Self-Exclusion:
- To confirm your self-exclusion request, you must provide a photo of yourself holding your ID and a copy of your ID.
- If you wish to self-exclude nationwide (for all betting in South Africa), you must fill out the form and send it to YesPlay or directly to the provincial gambling board.
4. Upliftment / Removal of the Self-Exclusion Order
If your self-exclusion period expires, your account will not automatically be reactivated. You will need to submit a written request to reactivate it, and it will only be reactivated after the period specified in your original self-exclusion request.
If you wish to lift a permanent self-exclusion order, the process outlined by SARGF must be followed, and you can find more details on their website.
5. Protection of Minors
YesPlay strictly prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from registering or participating in gambling activities. It is illegal for minors to have accounts or gamble online. To comply with the law, we verify the age of all our users during the registration process.
Parents and caretakers are encouraged to monitor device usage and keep login details secure. We also recommend installing filtering software to protect children from inappropriate content. Some recommended tools include:
- Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com)
- CYBERsitter (www.cybersitter.com)
6. Customer Activity History
At YesPlay, users can view their complete account activity, including betting history, balance, deposits, withdrawals, and winnings. You’ll have full access to all details related to your betting activities.
7. Tips for Responsible Gambling
While YesPlay is committed to providing the tools and support necessary for safe gambling, it’s also important to remember that gambling should be viewed as a form of entertainment. Here are some responsible gambling tips:
- Only bet with money that you can afford to lose.
- Be familiar with the rules of the games you’re betting on.
- Understand the risks involved before placing a bet.
- Always read our Terms & Conditions.
- Never gamble when you’re not feeling well or are under stress.
- Do not try to win back losses.
- Treat gambling as a social activity and keep it fun!
