Betting fever sweeps SA: R1.5-trillion wagered as families sink in debt

Gambling

Cape Town – South Africa’s gambling sector has ballooned into a national phenomenon — one that regulators, politicians and community leaders now describe as both an economic landmark and a social emergency.

According to the National Gambling Board, total turnover reached roughly R1.5 trillion in the 2024/25 financial year, with gross gambling revenue rising from R59 billion to R75 billion. That surge is driven overwhelmingly by online and sports betting, which together account for the bulk of recent growth.

“It happens because online gambling removed the transaction costs that used to discourage casual participation,” Lungile Dukwana, acting CEO of the National Gambling Board (NGB), told IOL.

“During the pandemic, when the land-based fraternity was closed or limited, online betting was the only available alternative.

“We then saw online betting on sport and other contingencies taking off — and that growth has remained consistently high compared to other modes.” Dukwana warned that the accessibility and heavy advertising of online operators has altered behaviour across income groups, and that “people who develop gambling disorders may displace earnings away from household essentials.”

The financial scale of the sector — and the small slice that flows to the state — has become a political issue. As stated by RISE Mzansi MP Makashule Gana in Parliament: “South Africans spent R1.5 trillion during the 2024/25 financial year on gambling activities…yet the state collects only R5.8 billion in taxes.

“Gana went on to call for advertising limits, a crackdown on illegal online platforms, and the use of gambling taxes to fund rehabilitation services.

According to News24, about 63% of gamblers admit to using money they “couldn’t really spare,” while online betting now accounts for more than 60% of total gambling spend. Analysts warn that easy access through mobile apps and social media ads has normalised gambling across all age groups — including young people.

Regulators acknowledge that South Africa’s legal framework is outdated. The Gambling Act, passed in 2004, predates the explosion of online and live betting. Dukwana said the NGB is “working with provinces to strengthen enforcement, update laws, and improve education around responsible gambling.”

The economic benefits of gambling are also being questioned. While the industry generates jobs and billions in revenue, critics argue that the long-term costs — debt, job loss, and broken homes — outweigh the short-term gains.

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