Responsible Gambling

At Sun International, we believe gambling should be enjoyable and kept within limits. We provide the information, tools, and support you need to play safely, stay in control, and gamble within your means.

No persons under the age of 18 years are permitted to gamble at any Sun International property or on any Sun International online platform.

For guidance and support, visit the National Responsible Gambling Programme.

Responsible Gambling Charter

In October 2026, we launched the Sun International Responsible Gambling Charter. It sets out how we promote responsible gambling at our casinos and on our online platforms. Our promise to you is simple: we will give you clear guidance on responsible play and tools that help you stay in control. We will listen and respond when you need support, and we will act with care, integrity and respect in everything we do.

The Charter is built on four principles: player education, protecting our players, ethical and responsible marketing, and staff responsibility and training. The Social and Ethics Committee oversees it on behalf of our Board, and we review it every year. We show our progress in our annual Sustainability Report, and we are working toward independent responsible gambling certification.

Download the Charter (PDF)

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What Responsible Gambling means

Responsible gambling means playing for enjoyment, within the time and money you can afford, and staying in control. It applies to everyone who gambles, not only experiencing problems.

Gambling is entertainment, not a way to make money, pay bills or solve financial problems. Warning signs that play may be becoming a problem include chasing losses, borrowing money to gamble, using money meant for essential expenses, gambling to escape stress or loneliness, and hiding your gambling from the people close to you.

Self-screening Quiz

Self-screening quiz

Gambling should stay fun. For some people, though, it can start to cause harm. This short quiz helps you check in on your gambling. We encourage every player, whether you play at our casinos or online, to take it from time to time. It takes about two minutes.

Thinking about the last 12 months, have you...

Answer Yes or No to each question.

Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?
Have you needed to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement?
When you gambled, did you go back another day to try to win back the money you lost?
Have you sold anything to get money to gamble?
Have you stolen anything to get money to gamble?
Have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?
Has gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?
Have people criticized your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem, regardless of whether or not you thought it was true?
Has gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

What your answers mean

If you answered "Yes" to 4 or more questions, you may be at risk of gambling-related harm. We strongly encourage you to speak to a counsellor at the National Responsible Gambling Programme, and to consider using our safety tools or self-exclusion.

If you answered "Yes" to fewer than 4 questions, keep an eye on your play and keep using your safety tools. If any of your answers worried you, help is still available.

Free and confidential counselling is available from the NRGP: call 0800 006 008 (toll-free) or WhatsApp "HELP" to 076 675 0710.

Disclaimer: These assessment questions are provided to help you assess your own gambling behaviour. The assessment is not a diagnosis and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. If you feel you may be at risk, you should seek professional help. You can contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme for free, confidential counselling on 0800 006 008 (toll-free) or WhatsApp "HELP" to 076 675 0710. This quiz is adapted from the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) Modified 10-item Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).

Self Exclusion FAQ

What is self-exclusion?

Self-exclusion is a voluntary process in which you ask to be barred from gambling with us for a period you choose, with a minimum of six months. It is designed for people who feel their gambling is becoming harmful or difficult to control. Applying for self-exclusion at Sun International is free of charge.
You can choose to exclude yourself from Sun International on a national, provincial or venue-specific basis or on the Sunbet platform.

What happens when you self-exclude?

Your gambling accounts will be closed or suspended, and you will not be able to open new ones.
We will take reasonable steps to prevent you from gambling at the venues and on the platforms you have chosen.
You will stop receiving gambling marketing and promotional messages from us.
Your exclusion remains in place for the full period you selected and cannot be uplifted within a minimum period of 6 months.
Self-exclusion works best when it is combined with support. We encourage you to contact the NRGP for free, confidential counselling while you take your break.

How to apply?

Step 1: Complete the form. If you need help, ask at the MVG desk at any Sun International casino. For online (Sunbet) exclusion, click on Sunbet Self-Exclusion under Safe Play or email selfexclusion@sunbet.co.za for online (Sunbet) exclusions.

Step 2: Gather your supporting documents:

A copy of your ID or passport
A recent colour photograph
Your contact details (phone number, email and address)
Your signature or initials on all required sections of the form

Step 3: Submit your application and supporting documents at the MVG desk at any Sun International casino or on Sunbet if you have an account.

Ending your self-exclusion

Your self-exclusion does not end automatically when the period is over. To return to gambling, you will need to apply to have your exclusion lifted.

Player completes at least six months of self-exclusion
The exclusion cannot be lifted before six months.
The expiry of six months does not automatically remove the exclusion.
Player undergoes counselling
The National Responsible Gambling Programme provides counselling through its Treatment Professionals. You can contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme for free, confidential counselling on 0800 006 008 (toll-free) or WhatsApp "HELP" to 076 675 0710. Treatment/counselling confirmation is obtained
Obtain proof/confirmation of counselling attendance/participation.
Importantly, NRGP does not itself approve the removal of the exclusion. Its documentation confirms the player's participation and provides relevant feedback; the relevant gambling authority/operator makes the upliftment decision.

Player submits an upliftment/revocation application

The application is submitted to the appropriate provincial Gambling Board and/or Sun International Casino/ Sunbet, depending on the nature of the exclusion.

The application is assessed

The fact that six months have elapsed and counselling has been completed does not mean the upliftment must be approved.
We consider the player's circumstances and conduct during the exclusion period.

If approved, the exclusion is formally removed

Upliftment takes effect following the prescribed notification/confirmation process.

How to stay in control

And keep it fun

Set your budget before you play. Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to it. Online, use our deposit limit tool to spending within your budget.
Set a time limit. Decide how long you want to play before you start. Online, use our time limit and reality check tools to remind you to take regular breaks.
Take a break when you need one. Our cooling-off tool is quick and easy to use, letting you step away immediately whenever you need to.
Only play with money you can afford to lose. Never borrow money to gamble or use money meant for bills, rent or other essentials. Chasing losses only leads to bigger losses.
Understand the odds. Gambling is based on chance. You could lose, and no system or strategy can guarantee a win.
Play with a clear mind. Avoid gambling when you feel stressed, anxious or upset, or after drinking alcohol or using other substances. If you are not feeling yourself, use the cooling-off tool and come back another time.
Talk to us. If you are worried about your own gambling or someone else's, speak to any of our staff. If our staff notice signs that play may be getting out of control, they may check in with you. Please see this as a sign that we care, not as criticism.

Frequently asked Questions

I’m quite well off, educated and mature, surely it means that I can control my gambling?

Not necessarily! Anyone can become a problem gambler regardless of age, race, religion, educational attainment, economic status and moral character. Problem gambling is like a disease which can affect anyone. Some people seem to develop problems with gambling, just as some people have a tendency to develop addictive problems with alcohol or other drugs.

In these cases they know that gambling is getting them into serious trouble and they try very hard to control it. Unfortunately, they find that, no matter how hard they try, they simply can’t stop or cut down their gambling by themselves.

Some people, in order to overcome their difficulties, will need help from others who have a special understanding of gambling problems.
Africa’s first National Responsible Gambling Programme has been devised to prevent the development of problems with gambling, and to provide help to those who nevertheless do develop such problems.

Sponsored by the gambling industry in Southern Africa, the programme is managed by independent experts from the National Centre for the Study of Gambling, which is based at the University of Cape Town. It has three components: public education and prevention; a treatment and counselling service for problem gamblers, their families and friends; and research, which ensures that the first two components operate with the most accurate scientific knowledge available both nationally and internationally.

Remember that it is illegal for children under 18 to participate in gambling. At a casino for example, be sure that you always know what your children are doing. A responsible parent will never leave children unattended. Most casinos offer crèches and other supervised childcare amenities. Use them, but don’t leave your children for long periods just because there is someone looking after them. They are still your responsibility. Very importantly, do not ask your children to place bets on your behalf, or allow them to buy lottery tickets.

Will I have to pay to receive help if I have a problem with my gambling?

Isn’t it very shameful to admit to having a problem with gambling?

No! Problem gambling is like a disease: it is not your fault if you contract it, but it is your responsibility to do something sensible about it. What is shameful is to continue doing serious damage to yourself and your loved ones and doing nothing about it. Obviously, it’s best if people can avoid the situation in which their gambling becomes uncontrollable.

To do this, people need to be aware of the danger signals which can give them an early warning. They may then be able to take appropriate action without seeking further help. One way of doing this is to approach a casino manager, for example, and ask that you be prevented from gambling.

This is called self-exclusion. *International number 00 27 21 674 5830 (standard telephone rates apply).

If you stick to these rules, you can avoid problems with your gambling

Decide beforehand how much money you are willing to spend. Stick to your limit.
Don’t try to recoup your losses. They may only increase.
Beware of how often, and for how long you play.
When you are winning, take occasional breaks. Think about the smart time to stop
Remember that gambling is entertainment. It’s not a way to get rich quickly, or pay off your debts.
Don’t forget that gambling is a game of chance. There are no systems or formulas to guarantee success. If you need help with a gambling problem, for yourself, a friend or for someone you care for, call the National Responsible Gambling Toll-free Counselling line on 0800 006 008.

How we protect our players

Age and identity checks
We verify age at gaming entry points, during online registration, and on withdrawals using a valid ID, passport, or driver's licence.
Protecting financially vulnerable people
Online accounts cannot be activated for customers who indicate that their source of income is a SASSA social grant or NSFAS funding.
One account per person
Each player may hold only one verified online account. Keep your login details private and never let anyone else, especially anyone under 18, use your account.
Trained staff
Our gaming staff are trained to recognise early signs of gambling-related harm, respond discreetly and refer players to support.
Responsible marketing
We do not target minors, vulnerable persons, self-excluded players or players with an active responsible gambling restriction with marketing or promotions.
Your privacy
We process information collected for responsible gambling purposes in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). used only to protect players and meet our obligations, never to encourage you to gamble more.

Important information

Our responsible gambling measures help players make informed decisions and reduce gambling-related risk. No tool, intervention or self-exclusion measure can guarantee that problem gambling will always be prevented or identified, and players remain responsible for their own gambling decisions. For full details, please read our Responsible Gambling Charter.

Worried about someone else?

Gambling-related harm affects families and friends too. If you are worried about someone close to you, the NRGP offers free, confidential counselling and guidance for family members. You can also speak to any of our staff in confidence.

Get help

If gambling has stopped being fun, help is available, free and confidential.

National Responsible Gambling Programme

Toll-free counselling line: 0800 006 008

NRGP WhatsApp

Send "HELP" to 076 675 0710

NRGP website

responsiblegambling.org.za