World Sports Betting (WSB) has apologised after a gambling promotion was filmed at a Pretoria preschool, with young children appearing in a video featuring a teacher spinning a promotional prize wheel.
The incident took place at Cornwall Hill College and involved WSB’s “Bet to the Beat” campaign. The video quickly attracted criticism after appearing on social media on 3 November 2026, raising questions about how a gambling promotion ended up taking place in a classroom.
WSB has since withdrawn from the campaign, removed the video and acknowledged that the activation should never have happened. The incident has also attracted the attention of the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation and gambling authorities.
What Happened at Cornwall Hill College?
According to a TimesLIVE report published on 4 November 2026, the promotional video showed preschool children cheering while their teacher participated in a prize-wheel competition organised as part of World Sports Betting’s Bet to the Beat campaign.
The teacher reportedly won R10,000 from the prize wheel, followed by an additional R2,000 for confirming that she had a registered WSB betting account and another R2,000 for dancing with the promotional team.
That’s R14,000 in total, with part of the prize linked directly to having an account with the bookmaker.
According to iGaming Afrika, the visit followed a staff member winning a radio competition, after which representatives involved in the campaign visited the school to conduct the prize-wheel activation.
The video circulated online on 3 November and drew criticism over the presence of young children during an activity promoting a gambling brand. The central concern wasn’t simply that a teacher had won a prize. It was that a betting promotion had been brought into a preschool environment where children were present.
World Sports Betting Responds to the Controversy
World Sports Betting issued an apology following the backlash, acknowledging that the promotional activity should not have taken place at the school. In its statement, reported by TimesLIVE, WSB said the incident “should never have happened” and that “Gambling marketing has no place in classrooms.”
The bookmaker also announced several measures in response to the controversy.
These included withdrawing from the Bet to the Beat campaign, removing the video from its social media channels, redirecting the campaign’s remaining prize funds towards responsible gambling awareness and strengthening its rules for external marketing partners.
WSB explained that the video had been produced by an independent production agency and said it was unaware of the location when the activation took place. However, the company accepted responsibility for the oversight rather than placing the blame entirely on the agency.
While the response was relatively swift, questions remain about how the location was approved and why the presence of preschool children didn’t prevent the promotional activity from going ahead.
What Has Cornwall Hill College Said?
Cornwall Hill College has also apologised for the incident. According to iGaming Afrika, the school’s executive management and preschool principal said the promotional arrangement had not been disclosed to the school’s leadership beforehand.
That raises another important question about the approval process for outside activities taking place on school grounds.
Schools regularly host visitors, competitions and special events, but a promotional campaign involving a licensed gambling operator is very different from an ordinary educational or recreational activity. Regardless of how the arrangement came about, the incident has highlighted the importance of screening commercial promotions before allowing them to take place around children.
South African Responsible Gambling Foundation Condemns the Incident
The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has also criticised the promotional activity. According to iGaming Afrika, the foundation described the incident as a failure in protecting children from gambling-related marketing.
SARGF reportedly engaged with World Sports Betting, the school, provincial gambling authorities, the National Gambling Board and the Department of Basic Education following the controversy. The organisation has also called for stronger safeguards to prevent betting operators from conducting marketing activations, sponsorships or promotional prize draws on school grounds.
Its concerns extend beyond this particular incident. The foundation reportedly views the situation as evidence that existing approval and safeguarding procedures need greater attention. This is particularly relevant in South Africa, where gambling advertising has become increasingly visible across sports broadcasts, social media and other forms of entertainment.
What Does South African Law Say About Gambling Advertising to Children?
South Africa’s National Gambling Act 7 of 2004 places restrictions on how gambling products can be advertised and promoted. Section 15(1)(b) prohibits advertising or promoting gambling activities in a manner intended to target or attract minors.
For the purposes of the legislation, a minor is anyone under the age of 18. The Act also requires gambling advertising to carry prescribed warnings about the dangers of addictive and compulsive gambling.
The World Sports Betting incident has therefore raised questions about whether the preschool activation complied with the country’s gambling advertising requirements. However, there’s an important distinction between public criticism and an official regulatory finding.
The fact that children appeared in the promotional video does not, by itself, establish that WSB intentionally targeted minors under the legislation. That determination would need to be made by the relevant authorities after considering the circumstances.
As of 5 November 2026, the reporting available did not identify any publicly announced regulatory finding or penalty against World Sports Betting in connection with the incident.
Can You Report Gambling Advertising in South Africa?
Yes. South African consumers can report gambling advertisements they believe are inappropriate, misleading or aimed at children. If you come across a gambling promotion that concerns you, start by saving a screenshot or recording of the advertisement, along with the date, location and name of the operator.
You can then submit a complaint to the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB), which handles complaints about advertising standards in South Africa.
- The ARB provides an online complaints process through its official website at arb.org.za.
- Complaints involving licensed betting operators can also be directed to the provincial gambling board responsible for the operator’s licence.
- For gambling-related concerns in Gauteng, the Gauteng Gambling Board can be contacted at info@ggb.org.za or 011 581 4800.
If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, the National Responsible Gambling Programme also offers free assistance through its helpline on 0800 006 008.
The Gambler’s Thoughts on the World Sports Betting Incident
World Sports Betting has done the right thing by apologising, removing the promotional video and withdrawing from the campaign. However, the incident should never have happened in the first place. Gambling advertising has no place in a preschool classroom, regardless of whether the activation was arranged by an external marketing agency.
The bigger question is whether this incident will lead to tighter controls over how betting companies promote their services in South Africa. Licensed bookmakers have a responsibility to ensure their advertising reaches the appropriate audience, and schools should have safeguards in place to prevent similar situations.
For players wanting to learn more about the operator, our World Sports Betting review covers its sportsbook, casino games and betting services. You can also explore our guide to the best betting sites in South Africa to compare established bookmakers operating in the local market.
Ultimately, gambling should remain an activity for adults, and protecting children from inappropriate betting promotions needs to be a priority for everyone involved
World Sports Betting Preschool Promotion FAQs
What happened with World Sports Betting at a Pretoria school?
A promotional video filmed at Cornwall Hill College showed preschool children cheering while a teacher participated in a prize-wheel competition associated with WSB’s Bet to the Beat campaign.
How much money did the teacher win?
According to TimesLIVE, the teacher received R10,000 from the prize wheel, R2,000 for having a registered WSB account and another R2,000 for dancing with the promotional team.
Has World Sports Betting apologised?
Yes. WSB apologised, withdrew from the campaign and removed the promotional video from its social media platforms.
Is gambling advertising to children illegal in South Africa?
Section 15 of the National Gambling Act restricts gambling advertising intended to target or attract minors. Whether a particular advertisement breaches the law is a matter for the relevant authorities.
Has World Sports Betting been fined?
The reports available as of 5 November 2026 did not identify a publicly announced regulatory fine or finding relating to the incident.
Where can I report inappropriate gambling advertising?
You can lodge a complaint with the Advertising Regulatory Board or contact the relevant provincial gambling authority.
Warren’s been in the betting game for over 15 years, testing sites, chasing bonuses, and figuring out what actually pays and what doesn’t. He’s spent plenty of time on Spina Zonke, with Hot Hot Fruit being a long-time favourite. At The Gambler, he shares real, straight-talking insights to help South African players get more value from their play and stay away from the sites that aren’t worth it.