South Africa’s playing trade has reached unprecedented ranges, producing a file R75 billion in gross playing income for the 2024/25 monetary yr. However, the fast enlargement of on-line betting has raised critical issues about habit, youth publicity, and the nation’s restricted regulatory response.
According to knowledge offered by the National Gambling Board (NGB) to the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, complete playing turnover climbed to R1.5 trillion ($86 billion) in 2024/25, in contrast to R1.1 trillion the earlier yr. The NGB attributed the rise primarily to the surge in on-line betting, which now represents 60% of South Africa’s playing income.
Online Betting Drives Record Growth
The NGB’s figures present that betting—together with on-line platforms—accounted for roughly 70% of the overall, or R52.3 billion. Casino income reached R16.6 billion, representing 22% of the market, whereas the Limited Payout Machines (LPM) sector generated R4.1 billion. Bingo contributed R1.7 billion throughout the identical interval.
Despite the sturdy efficiency of digital betting, the on line casino trade confronted a downturn, with revenues dropping 4.1% year-on-year. The regulator famous a discount in each slot machines and desk video games at licensed venues, pointing to gamblers’ rising desire for on-line slots. The variety of operational slot machines fell from 21,813 to 21,370, whereas energetic tables declined from 910 to 890.
The shift towards on-line playing started in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, when motion restrictions drove gamers towards digital alternate options. That pattern has since intensified, reshaping the nation’s playing panorama.
Economic Benefits and Social Risks
The NGB emphasised that the trade stays a big supply of employment and public income. Gambling helps 33,169 direct jobs and over 144,000 oblique positions nationwide. In 2024/25, taxes and levies collected from playing reached R5.8 billion ($332 million), with the Western Cape contributing the biggest share.
Yet, the financial positive factors come at a social value. According to the Responsible Gambling Foundation’s government director, Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, the shortage of up to date laws has allowed dangerous habits to unfold unchecked. “There have been no regulations passed to minimise the harm,” she stated, including that rising circumstances of habit usually coincide with psychological well being issues akin to melancholy, insomnia, or substance abuse.
Simelane-Quntana additionally warned that playing is more and more attracting youthful audiences. “As it is now, you are in the car with your kids and you hear a gambling promotion airing on the radio. We need to regulate the times [the ads]
take place,” she stated, noting that commercials additionally seem on banking apps. She argued that regulators ought to prohibit how and when playing promotions are displayed to forestall underage publicity.
Under South African regulation, it stays unlawful for anybody below 18 to gamble.
Rising Participation and Household Spending
The newest Old Mutual Savings and Investments Monitor revealed that 52% of working South Africans gamble, with males aged 30 to 49 making up the biggest section. About 40% gamble continuously, usually to pay for every day bills or money owed. Sports betting leads in reputation at 61%, adopted by the lottery at 53% and slots at 52%.
The NGB reported that 65.7% of South Africans engaged in some type of playing throughout 2024/25, whereas 31% of these gamblers confirmed indicators of downside playing. Statistics South Africa additional famous that playing now makes up almost 55% of family spending on recreation, sport, and tradition—equal to 1.6% of complete family expenditure.
As playing turns into a mainstream pastime, consultants are urging policymakers to introduce stronger safeguards. Without complete regulation, they warn, the social toll could quickly overshadow the sector’s monetary success.
Sources:
South Africa’s online gambling revenues hits R75 billion a year – but at what cost, ewn.co.za, October 16, 2025.
