The rise of online gambling in South Africa: A look at household spending trends

Gambling in South Africa is bigger than ever – accounting for 1.6% of total household spending.

The scale of the industry is staggering. Gross gambling revenue reached R59.3 billion in 2023/24, up 25.7% from the previous year, and nearly triple the R23.3bn generated just three years earlier, according to the National Gambling Board of South Africa’s latest annual review for the 2023 year.

According to Old Mutual’s Savings and Investment Monitor, 20% of gamblers have had to borrow, use credit, or sell something to fund their habit.

Nearly half of all working gamblers now play frequently, hoping to cover expenses or debt—a figure that has climbed sharply from 36% previously, the monitor showed.

The rise is driven almost entirely online.

Sports betting is the top draw at 61%, followed by Lotto (53%) and slots (52%).

Gambling has become a weekly, even daily ritual for many: 62% play at least once a week, with nearly 40% gambling even more often. Men and people aged 30 to 49 are the most heavily involved, the Old Mutual report showed.

Betting has overtaken casinos, whose once-dominant market share has stagnated, while online and bookmaker services exploded, generating R152.6bn in 2023, which is up from R10.1bn in 2018.

Statistics South Africa's latest report shows the impact on households.

Gambling now accounts for 1.6% of total household spending, the 12th highest expense, just behind beer, said Statistics South Africa. It dominates the recreation, sport, and culture category, taking over half of spending.

The sector also contributes significantly to gross domestic product (GDP) estimates through household consumption and personal services production, said Statistics South Africa.

Perpetua stated that gambling is roughly 1% of South Africa’s GDP, contributing R4.8bn to the fiscus and supporting over 32 000 jobs

Formal business data gleaned from Statistics South Africa tells the same story: turnover from ‘other recreational activities’ nearly tripled in 2023 compared with 2022, with gambling and betting driving the surge.

With 37 operational casinos, hundreds of thousands of tables and slot machines, and millions gambling online, the industry’s reach is enormous.

The National Gambling Board offers a stark reminder: “of all gambling strategies, knowing when to quit may be best.” Yet for many South Africans, quitting is easier said than done.

As betting becomes ever more accessible, the lure of easy money carries a very real risk, putting households under increasing pressure.

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