World Sports Betting has apologised for and removed a "Bet to the Beat" promotional video filmed in a preschool classroom at Cornwall Hill College in Pretoria, TimesLIVE reported on 4 November. In the clip, young children were told to cheer while their teacher spun a branded prize wheel.
What happened
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wheel spin | The teacher won R10,000 |
| Account check | A further R2,000 for proving she held a World Sports Betting account |
| Dance | Another R2,000 for dancing with the promotional team |
The figures are from TimesLIVE. According to iGaming Afrika, the activation followed a radio competition won by a staff member, and school leadership had not been told about the arrangement in advance. The college's executive management and preschool principal have apologised.
The response
- World Sports Betting said the video was made by an independent production agency but accepted full responsibility. "Gambling marketing has no place in classrooms," it said, as quoted by TimesLIVE.
- The company withdrew from the campaign, removed the video from social media, sent the remaining prize money to responsible gambling awareness work and tightened its vendor code of conduct.
- The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has engaged the operator, the school, provincial licensing authorities, the National Gambling Board and the Department of Basic Education, iGaming Afrika reported. Critics point to Section 15 of the National Gambling Act, which prohibits gambling promotions aimed at minors.
What it means for you
The SARGF says children often reach betting apps through a parent's phone. Its advice: lock phones and tablets with a PIN or fingerprint, log out of betting apps and wallets, check bank and mobile-money apps for spends you do not recognise, and do not let children press the spin button for you. Spina Zonke and every other slot are for adults aged 18 and over. Our responsible gambling page lists the tools, and the NRGP helpline is 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp 076 675 0710.