South Africans wagered more than R1-trillion in 2024.

Betting on sports and other contingencies is driving this surge. Half the gross revenue from gambling is from online betting, according to National Gambling Board statistics.

In the 2023/24 financial year alone, the gambling industry generated R59.3-billion in gross revenue. The Western Cape overtook Gauteng as the top-earning province, pulling in R18.78-billion, compared to Gauteng’s R13.01-billion. Mpumalanga followed closely with R12.98-billion.

A survey conducted by ,a href=”https://themediaonline.co.za/2025/05/upping-the-ante-tracking-the-year-on-year-growth-of-gambling-in-sa/”>InfoQuest in April 2025 – a follow-up to its March 2024 study of roughly 300 South African gamblers – found that nearly half (48%) reported gambling more frequently than they had a year ago.

“This surge in frequency points to growing engagement, possibly fuelled by the rise of easily accessible online platforms, aggressive marketing, and shifting social norms,” said Claire Heckrath, managing director of InfoQuest. But how are people funding their gambling? According to Heckrath, a third of gamblers claim to use surplus funds. “This means that a concerning 63% are likely using money meant for essentials, savings, or other financial commitments,” she said.