Responsible Gambling

Overview
For the overwhelming majority of people, gambling is a recreational entertainment. However, for a small portion of people (estimated internationally at 5% of regular gamblers), excessive gambling may become a problem, and in some, may result in damaging compulsive addictive behaviour. The National Responsible Gambling Programme (“the NRGP”) provides help to these people, so that they can regain control of their lives.

The NRGP is offers its service free of charge to persons who have gambling problems or to those persons who are affected by problem gambling, such as family members.
Montecasino supports responsible gambling and further recognizes the need for the protection of minors from gambling. Montecasino, amongst other gambling establishments, contributes significantly towards the funding of the NRGP. This has made it possible for free services to be made available to persons who have gambling problems or to those who are affected by problem gambling. An exclusion programme has been implemented at Montecasino to assist persons who may have gambling problems. The programme supplements the NRGP and it further promotes the values, objectives and purpose of the NRGP.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with a gambling problem, please contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme Toll free Helpline 0800 008 006.

How do I know if I or someone I know has a gambling problem?

There are definite warning signs to look out for that could indicate problem gambling.
CLICK HERE to take a self-check quiz or to view the criteria considered in making such a determination.

How do I apply for exclusion on the Montecasino responsible gaming programme?

• The Montecasino responsible gambling programme adheres to the requirements of applicable gambling legislation. It further promotes indirectly the objectives and purpose of the NRGP.
•  The above responsible gambling programme is available to the public at the casino on a 24-hr basis. Scheduled appointments are not necessary.
• Exclusion documentation is available upon request from the casino security department. Trained security officers will assist with the processes necessary to complete the exclusion documentation before submitting the same to the provincial licensing authority.
• Detailed brochures relating to problem gambling and the NRGP are available at the Cashdesks and Promotional Desks in the casino.

Who can apply?

• The person who has a gambling problem
• The following interested third parties can request for an enquiry to be convened by the Gauteng Gambling Board to establish whether or not a punter has a gambling problem or not:
• Parents, spouse, life-in partner, or dependent children
• Interested third parties should:
• Submit a written request to the Gauteng Gambling Board. The Board’s contact details are as follows.

Gauteng Gambling Board
Physical: 125 Corlett Drive, Bramley
Postal: Private Bag X15, Bramley, 2018

Telephone: (011) 581 4800
Facsimile: (011) 581 4903
Website: www.ggb.org.za

The Board will notify the punter to attend the enquiry. If he or she fails to do so without valid reasons, the punter will be excluded from participating in further gambling in the province until such time that he or she attends the enquiry.
    The interested third parties must prove at the inquiry on the balance of probabilities that the punter.

•     Gambles more than his / her means allows
•     Gambles in a manner detrimental to himself / herself and or his/her family.

What happens when a person is excluded from the casino under the Montecasino responsible gaming programme?

• The Gauteng Gambling Board will circulate the excluded person’s details (including his/her photograph) to all casinos within the Province.
• The casino will take reasonable measures to identify the excluded person with the aim of preventing him/her from accessing the gambling areas or from participating in gambling. The onus, however, is still on the excluded person to refrain from gambling or from accessing the gambling areas.
• The excluded person is removed from casino’s marketing mailing list.
• The excluded person’s casino loyalty club card is terminated.
• A warning flag is activated on the excluded person’s Cashdesk profile.
• If the excluded person enters the gambling area or participates in gambling whilst he or she is under exclusion, the casino may arrest and charge him/her criminally for trespassing.
• The excluded person cannot claim for any losses and or damages from the casino. He or she is also not entitled to any winnings. Any winnings derived from gambling whilst the person is under exclusion is forfeited and donated to a charity.
• Excluded persons may still, however, enjoy the non-gaming areas such as the Complex, restaurants, movie theatres, etc.

What happens if the excluded person wants to take up gambling again?

• The excluded person must attend sessions with a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor who is appointed by the National Responsible Gambling Programme.
• The psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor may issue the excluded person with a certificate which confirms that he or she is competent to return to gambling again.
• The excluded person must then apply to the Gauteng Gambling Board for an upliftment of the exclusion order in writing, provided that at least a period of six months of the exclusion has passed. The excluded person must also produce the above certificate as proof of attending the counselling sessions to the Board. The upliftment is not automatically done upon application– the Board will consider the application and the merits thereof before deciding.
   If the Board is satisfied that the excluded person is competent to return to gambling activities in the province, the exclusion is uplifted and all casinos in the Province are notified accordingly.