Chair, the ACDP shares the view that the committee expressed, namely that the socioeconomic impacts of legalised gambling were previously inadequately represented and appeared to be biased in favour of the gambling industry. We note the report of the Gambling Review Commission and the portfolio committee's recommendations regarding the amending of gambling and lottery legislation.
While noting that illegal gambling, particularly in provinces that lack the will or the capacity to take effective action, is a major and growing concern, we also note that there continues to be no evidence to suggest that what is referred to as "problem gambling" has worsened significantly.
It is encouraging to see that South Africa is ahead of the UK, Europe and Asia in addressing problem gambling and that the National Responsible Gambling Programme, with a 24-hour toll-free hotline, has trained counsellors who refer people for help. This is the only organisation worldwide that is jointly managed by the public sector and industry. It is also partnered with the University of Cape Town's department of psychiatry to include structured diagnostic interviews and the first fellowship in pathological gambling in Africa. The ACDP will follow the much-needed legislative developments.