Urgent
Religious Freedom Under Threat
Constitutional Rights
The Injustice of Gambling and Online Betting
Executive Summary
What's Happening
Gambling and betting were presented as ways to raise money for poverty relief, but the effect has become the opposite. Online betting, casinos, horseracing, and lotteries now form a massive industry that draws money from people who can least afford to lose it. The flood of gambling and betting advertising on phones, television, and radio shows that the industry has grown beyond responsible control.
Why It Matters
Gambling and online betting are taking vast amounts of money from South Africans, especially the poor, while returning very little to poverty relief. Voice of Faith calls on Government to stop the exploitation and protect vulnerable communities.
What's at Stake
Gambling and betting turn poverty relief into poverty harm when the industry takes far more from the poor than it returns. The practice rewards greed, deepens misery, and places Government in the position of collecting taxes from a system that exploits those it should protect.
Issue Context
Phase: Public Awareness and Government Appeal
Activities
- Raising awareness among believers about the injustice caused by gambling and betting
- Calling for Government action to protect the poor
- Encouraging South Africans to refrain from gambling and betting
- Encouraging a boycott of companies that run or promote gambling and betting
Key Threats
- Gambling and betting have surged by 550% in recent years and ballooned into an estimated R1.5 trillion industry
- Gambling revenue reached R75 billion in 2024/25, according to National Gambling Statistics published by the National Gambling Board
- The National Lottery earned R28.7 billion in 2024/25, but only R989 million was spent on poverty alleviation, less than 4%
- An estimated 95% of people who participate in gambling and betting lose money rather than win
- Lower-income South Africans are especially targeted by the hope of large payouts, with some spending 15% to 50% of their income on gambling and betting
- Government receives tax revenue from the industry while the poor carry the real cost
Constitutional Basis
- Public authorities have a duty to protect vulnerable communities from exploitation
- Social policy should promote justice and poverty relief rather than deepen poverty
Our Faith Position
Our commitment to biblical truth guides our stance on this issue. We believe Scripture provides clear direction for how Christians should respond to matters of faith, freedom, and governance.
Key Scripture References
Biblical foundations that inform our position
"To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."Micah 6:8
"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed."Isaiah 1:17
"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed."Psalm 82:3
Additional references
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Theological Foundation
Understanding the biblical principles behind our stance
Core Biblical Principles
- Justice for the Poor: God commands justice for poor and vulnerable people, not systems that profit from their desperation.
- Protection from Exploitation: Authority should protect people from snares that cause deep harm, especially when industry profit depends on loss.
- Rejecting Greed: Believers should turn away from a culture of greed and embrace honesty, integrity, and a healthy work ethic.
Scripture puts a premium on justice and repeatedly commands God's people to protect the poor, the oppressed, and the vulnerable. Gambling and betting now take huge amounts of money mostly from those who can least afford to lose it, while only a tiny fraction is returned to poverty relief. This is not a harmless entertainment issue. It has become an injustice that deepens poverty and rewards greed.
Historical Precedent
Societies have often restricted harmful industries when the public cost outweighs private profit. Where gambling and betting create widespread harm, especially among the poor, Government has both moral and public responsibility to act decisively.
Case Against This Proposal
A summary of our objections, suggested actions, and a constructive alternative approach.
Key Arguments
- Gambling and betting make people poorer instead of improving their lives
- The industry profits from the poor while claiming to fund poverty relief
- Less than 4% of National Lottery income was spent on poverty alleviation in 2024/25
- Government tax revenue from gambling comes from money lost by ordinary people, especially the poor
- Aggressive advertising on phones, television, and radio normalises a practice that causes financial harm
- People in lower income brackets are more exposed to gambling harm and gambling addiction
- A responsible Government must protect people from a snare that deepens poverty and misery
Recommended Actions
- Call on Government to ban online gambling and betting advertising
- Call on Government to end sport sponsorships by gambling and betting companies
- Call on Government to tighten control over lotteries and casinos
- Encourage national programs that teach wise and responsible money management
- Refrain from all gambling and betting
- Boycott companies that run or promote gambling and betting
- Pray for those trapped by gambling, debt, and poverty
Alternative Solution
Government should stop fuelling and condoning the injustice done to the poor by placing strong guardrails on gambling and betting, beginning with bans on online gambling and betting, advertising, and sport sponsorships.
Status:ProposedAvailability:Can be pursued through gambling regulation, advertising rules, sport sponsorship restrictions, and public education programs
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