The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has expressed concern about the growing number of young people who are addicted to gambling.
The foundation is among many roleplayers attending the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum’s 16th annual conference in Sun City outside Rustenburg in the North West.
Sibongile Simelane-Quntana is a director of the foundation.
“The trend that we are noticing, it is affecting mostly the youth. People who are under the age of 18. It affects people that are also unemployed and people that are depending on social relief grants. That Sassa money should be spent on themselves and on their households, not on gambling.”
Simelane-Quntana further says some of those who are addicted to gambling are coming forward to get assistance.
“We got psycho education therapy where you actually see a psychologist and a clinical social worker. You are actually receiving counseling. We provide eight sessions per individual, but you know, if the individual is so much affected, the treatment … professionals can refer or motivate for more sessions and then we have National Gambling Responsible Group where once you finished your sessions you can then attend those groups, which we do on a weekly basis, every weekend, on a Saturday. We also have in-patient where we rehabilitate people in hospital,” she says.
When intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch in mid-November, it wasn't just the long-range weapons that caught the attention of the world. In pictures of the…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/man-riding-a-bike-carrying-a-thermal-bag-on-his-back.jpg?id=55156667&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=0%2C292%2C0%2C292"/><br/><br/><p> As more Montrealers make money in the <a href="https://sr.studiostack.com/c/link?l=1882892&s=1852320" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">digital economy</a> — whether as Uber drivers, Instagram influencers, Etsy sellers or Twitch streamers — many don’t realize there are benefits to including those earnings in their income when they do their taxes.
</p><p> Earnings from online platforms, including payments, sponsorships, gifts and products for your services, all count as business income in the eyes of <a href="https://sr.studiostack.com/c/link?l=1882896&s=1852320" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Revenu Québec</a>. Reporting this income fulfills your tax obligations and unlocks perks you don’t want to miss out on.
</p><h2>Get tax credits and deductions</h2><p> Reporting your online income may make you eligible for tax credits and deductions. Whether you’re delivering for DoorDash or making money on Twitch, eligible business expenses like gas, equipment, and even part of your rent (if you work from home) can be written off.
</p><h2>Strengthen your financial profile</h2><p> Reporting your online income can help improve your standing with financial institutions, which can make it easier to secure a loan when the time comes to buy a house or car. Lenders want to see reported income, and being transparent about your online work boosts your credibility.
</p><h2>Unlock parental benefits</h2><p> Reporting your income qualifies you for Quebec’s parental insurance program for when you start a family. This means that you’ll get financial support when you need time off to care for your child.
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<img alt="Woman recording audio program" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f25c71940b3a8b922e980bf352337720" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="dec66" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/woman-recording-audio-program.jpg?id=55156692&width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Woman recording audio program</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit..."><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/content-black-woman-recording-audio-program-6954182/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">George Milton | Pexels</a></small>
</p><h2>Grow your retirement savings</h2><p>The more income you report, the higher your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) contribution limit is, meaning you can lower your taxable income now all while preparing for the future. Plus, when you retire, your retirement pension from Retraite Québec will be based on your total work income, giving you more financial security in the long run.</p><h2>Avoid interest</h2><p>Not reporting income from side gigs or online work can lead to interest piling up on any income tax you have to pay. By reporting the income, you ensure you won’t face any unexpected issues later.</p><p>Even if your online activities are part-time, they still count. By reporting income from them, you not only avoid having to pay interest, but you can also unlock advantages you might not have thought of when starting out. </p><p><strong>To learn more about the digital economy, visit Revenu Québec’s <a href="https://sr.studiostack.com/c/link?l=1882936&s=1852320" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> or <a href="https://sr.studiostack.com/c/link?l=1882946&s=1852320" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page.</strong></p><p><em>This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, tax or accounting advice.</em></p>
