The North West Gambling Board joined the Liquor Regulator and the Community Policing Forum for a community roadshow in Leeudoringstad Township, in Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, to promote responsible gambling and compliance in South Africa’s North West Province. The event was part of the Thuntsha Lerole initiative, which is described as a provincial programme that brings public services and government agencies closer to communities through direct interaction.
Officials used the session to explain consumer and licensed-operator obligations under South Africa’s gambling laws. They also outlined responsible-gambling practices, including staying within the law and recognising when gaming may be becoming harmful.
A substantial part of the roadshow focused on help for people affected by gambling-related harm. Attendees were given information about counselling services and other resources for individuals and families, and organisers said education is central to creating a safer gambling environment while also reducing the stigma attached to seeking professional help.
Residents were urged to report unlicensed gambling machines, especially those operating in tuckshops and other unlicensed venues. The board said illicit operators sidestep provincial laws and do not provide the consumer protections required of licensed companies, while public involvement helps officials and law enforcement spot illegal activity and act on it.
The roadshow also covered provincial liquor licensing requirements, including the legal process for obtaining and maintaining licences. Officials said the aim was to help business owners and community members understand the rules that govern both gambling and liquor trading.
The Leeudoringstad event fits into a wider pattern of outreach by the board. In March, it held a Responsible Gambling Public Outreach in Sannieshof under the theme “Play Smart. Stay Legal. Together We Gamble Responsibly,” and the board said it continues to organise outreach across the province to improve understanding of gambling legislation and strengthen compliance. A separate Thuntsha Lerole operation in May 2025 led to the destruction of 278 illegal gambling machines in Rustenburg and Koster, including 169 in Rustenburg and 109 in Koster, in an enforcement drive that also targeted informal businesses and unlicensed liquor outlets.
