World Sports Betting hosts charity poker evening at Daytona in Melrose Arch

The spirit of giving was alive and well at Melrose Arch on May 23, as World Sports Betting hosted its inaugural Poker for Purpose evening at the prestigious Daytona showroom. This stylish and heartfelt affair brought together celebrities, influencers, and media personalities – not only to enjoy a lively game of poker, but to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Read more: Local charity raises funds by selling books to build toilets in informal settlements
Familiar faces from across South Africa came together, each playing for a charity close to their hearts. With eight poker tables set amongst the gleaming luxury vehicles of the Daytona floor, the setting was every bit as captivating as the cause. The air buzzed with laughter, excitement, and an unmistakable sense of shared purpose as players shuffled their cards and took their seats. Beneath the competitive spirit, however, lay something far more profound: A collective desire to give back.
Also read: St Teresas School raises funds for rare diseases charity
At the helm of the evening's excitement was media personality Faith Nketsi, who emerged victorious, securing R100 000 for CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation. Hot on her heels was acclaimed musician Cassper Nyovest, whose second-place finish raised R50 000 for the Legae Child Care Centre. Team Alan Ford followed in third, earning R30 000 for SALEAF, an organisation dedicated to enhancing education. In fourth place, WSB claimed R20 000 on behalf of Nazareth House.
In the true spirit of the evening, no one left the table empty-handed. Media representatives and the Kevin Lerena team each walked away with R15 000 for TEARS and Glove of Boxing, respectively, while Team Bulls secured R10 000 for Care for Wild. In a poetic twist, during the final hand, KO earned R10 000 for Reach for a Dream – a fitting tribute to the belief that dreams are always worth wagering on.
The evening was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and heartfelt moments, as stories of the beneficiaries were shared between hands. Guests departed not only entertained, but deeply moved, reminded that every chip played was a chance to change a life.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Related article: Nicarela Charity distributed over R7 million in the past 15 years
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Citizen

18 hours ago

• The Citizen

Mopani Soccer Talent Search returns to scout SA's rising stars

LIMPOPO – Aspiring young soccer players from across South Africa are invited to participate in the fifth annual Mopani Soccer Talent Search, set to take place from July 3–4 at Nkowankowa Stadium during the school holidays. Founded and hosted by local coach Peace Khosa, the two-day event aims to offer a platform for talented youth to showcase their skills in hopes of being scouted by professional teams. 'The goal has always been to help young players get noticed and signed,' Khosa told the Herald. 'Over the past five years, several players discovered through this talent search have gone on to sign with professional clubs like Baroka FC and Polokwane City. Many of them are now supporting their families.' The event is open to players born between 2004 and 2009. Teams and scouts are also welcome to attend in search of promising talent. Khosa currently coaches Nkowankowa Continental FC and is the founder of the Nkowankowa Barcelona Development Team, which focuses on nurturing young players. His development team has helped players secure positions at top clubs such as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and the Transnet School of Excellence. Two local success stories, Keneilwe Mocheti and Vicky Mukhawana, are currently part of the Kaizer Chiefs Development Team. Mukhawana has also earned a contract with the club's senior side. 'For me, football isn't about fame or money,' said Khosa. 'When I broke my legs at 14 and could no longer play, I thought my dream was over. But coaching gave me a new purpose. Helping young players succeed is deeply fulfilling.' Khosa will be joined at the event by Amukelani Hlungwani from Baroka FC, as well as several of his former players, including Vukona Ndoro Khosa, Tshepo Mabuza, and Vicky Mukhawana. The registration fee is R100 per player, which can be paid on the day of the event. Participants must bring an ID or birth certificate, training gear, and soccer boots. Vendors and local businesses are welcome to trade at the stadium during the event. For more information, contact Peace Khosa at 083 477 9018. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

IOL News

a day ago

• IOL News

Green Shoots: When having a flutter is no longer fun

I was caught up in Johannesburg traffic the other day, and crawling along the M1 highway allowed me to take in the many billboards whose sole purpose is to convince you to buy what it is they are offering. And most of these offerings were from online gambling services. I saw Betway and Hollywood Bets promising me great excitement and wealth with minimal effort – I can place my bet anywhere, anytime, and on almost anything. You will have seen these adverts all over our television screens, and heard them on radio. Some of our favourite sports teams have been renamed according to their sponsors – Hollywood Bets Sharks is my rugby team of choice, and they play their home games at Hollywood Bets Kings Park Stadium, up the road from Hollywood Bets Kingsmead Stadium where cricket is played. And fan favourite rugby world cup winner Makazole Mapimpi is their brand ambassador, along with soccer legends like Teko Modise and Jerry Sikhosana. Gambling in this country is big business. Gross gambling revenue (GGR) was R59 billion in 2024. Since COVID in 2020, this revenue growth has been at 42% per year. Gambling is a significant contributor to economic activity and apparently supports 32 000 jobs, with most revenue generated in the Western Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. I'm a little concerned about this phenomenon. We are suckers for a slick advertising campaign, and the saturation messaging of these betting platforms should be cause for concern – indeed, alarm – in more sections of our community, including government and the appropriate regulatory authorities. I found online information on gambling fairly easily, and so I clearly am not alone in feeling uneasy. Industry research says that the reasons respondents give for their gambling appear to be increasingly connected to financial strain, with more than half of surveyed punters saying they gambled because they needed the money. This survey clearly provided the option for multiple answers, because more than two thirds were hoping to win a large sum of money, and down the list somewhere 14% said they had lost their job. When the bet is placed because you need to survive, you know you're in trouble. The online source of my data is an investment firm, and they say that 'problem gambling' prevalence has increased five-fold since 2017, with 21% of problem gamblers unemployed and 84% earning under R15,000 per month. People, we have a problem. And this isn't even considering those for whom gambling is an addiction they cannot beat. Imagine trying to quit a habit when every corner and screen and broadcast is almost brow-beating you to place the bet. Some may say the tax revenue that is generated should be able to ameliorate the social costs ofgambling. Apparently casinos paid about 10% of their revenue in taxes last year, and betting platforms a paltry 7%. Is that supposed to ease the destruction that this practice has for people who are not recreational gamblers? For perspective, cigarettes are taxed at 40% and spirit alcohol at 36%. You don't see your favourite tipple on the telly anymore, and we're a short step from having cigarette packets with no branding expect really disturbing pictures of what happens to your gums when you smoke (I saw those in Thailand recently). I am no prude, and I have been known to wager a bit every now and then. I am no advocate for a nanny state – we cannot over-regulate the choices and behaviour of grown up people. And I know that jobs are at stake. Apparently Tsogo Gaming and Sun International employ half the gambling industry's workforce. With the lower cost and greater accessibility of online platforms, there is a real danger of job losses. For all these reasons, will the authorities please see reason and common sense, and control the bombardment of advertising of these online betting platforms.

The Citizen

2 days ago

• The Citizen

R30 000 at stake on Saturday

BOPHELONG.- The Duku Duku Super16 Winter Soccer Tournament will conclude this coming weekend. The 4th annual Kasi football tournament began over the long weekend earlier this month with knockout stages and will conclude on Saturday. There will be action galore with the big guns in kasi football and the winner will smile all the way to the bank with a R30 000 cheque. The tournament organisers promise a humdinger come Saturday. The finals will take place at France's dusty soccer ground in Ext 15, Movhango. The day's programme will start at 9:00 with the first semi-final and 12:00 with the second semi-final. There will be curtain raisers for the final as local soccer legends will face each other to entertain the crowd. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Molife 'Duku Duku' Mahlangu said this year's tournament saw some exciting new talent all over Sedibeng. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that there will be a hive of activities on the day of the final, with local soccer fans expected to come in big numbers to watch the much-anticipated match. Mahlangu said Bophelong is expected to come to a standstill. 'I can't wait, and believe the soccer fans also can't wait for Saturday. We witnessed a high standard of football since the start of the tournament. I do not doubt that we will be spoiled with exciting football. We thank the Bophelong and Movhango communities for their support since the tournament started. I do not doubt that they enjoyed the talent that was displayed. We also thank every supporter, especially our stakeholders. Duku Duku Tournament is a platform to showcase local talent. We always invite scouts,' said Mahlangu. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!