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Story perspectives

Online Gambling Crisis: Youth Debt Soars Amid Addiction

10/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Online gambling entangles youth in debt as students and young professionals use National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances to gamble.
A GeoPoll study shows 83% of South Africans have placed a bet, with addiction-related calls rising 55% last year.
Activist Malebo Kobe says the trend signals government failure to provide growth opportunities.
Activist Irfaan Mangera calls gambling a "silent tax on the poor" harming women.

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Story summary

Online gambling entangles youth in debt as students and young professionals use National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances to gamble.
A GeoPoll study shows 83% of South Africans have placed a bet, with addiction-related calls rising 55% last year.
Activist Malebo Kobe says the trend signals government failure to provide growth opportunities.
Activist Irfaan Mangera calls gambling a "silent tax on the poor" harming women.