Gambling's a groot siekte in SA

WHEN taxi driver Sipho M placed his first online bet during the Covid-19 lockdown, he thought he’d found a clever way to stretch his vanishing income. 

Today, Sipho is part of a national phenomenon that has quietly reshaped South Africa’s economy and culture. 

In the past financial year alone, South Africans wagered a record R1.5 trillion - up from R1.1 trillion the year before.

According to the National Gambling Board (NGB), gambling operators increased their gross gambling revenue from R59 billion to R75 billion, while participation has doubled to 65.7 percent of adults since 2017. Gambling now contributes 0.83 percent to the country’s GDP.

IOL contacted Lungile Dukwana, the acting chief executive officer of the National Gambling Board, who said that these figures mark both an economic milestone and a social warning.

Dukwana said: “In 2023/24, gambling turnover hit the R1 trillion mark and gross gambling revenue was almost R60 billion. 

“This trend continued to increase in 2024/25 for a number of reasons.”

Dukwana says the industry’s current shape was forged during Covid-19, adding: “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.”

The NGB’s research shows how rapidly gambling has spread through society. 

In 2017, just over three in 10 South Africans gambled. By 2023/24, that number had doubled to nearly two-thirds of adults. 

If you are one of those South Africans sukkeling with gambling, call the The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation on its toll free counselling line, 0800 006 008 Or WhatsApp/SMS HELP To 076 675 0710 or email to [email protected]