The National Gambling Board (NGB) has revealed that gambling in South Africa reached a record R1.5 trillion in turnover during the 2024/25 financial year, a sharp increase from R1.1 trillion the previous year.
The board attributes the rise mainly to the growth of online betting, which has now become the country’s biggest form of gambling.
According to the NGB’s presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, betting — which includes sports and online gaming — made up about 70% of South Africa’s total gambling revenue, generating R52.3 billion out of the R75 billion collected nationwide .
In simple terms, “turnover” refers to the total amount of money that players spent placing bets, while “gross gambling revenue” (GGR) is the portion that gambling operators kept after paying out winnings.
The R1.5 trillion turnover means that gamblers in South Africa collectively placed bets worth that amount over the year — not that all of it was lost.
The report also showed that casinos brought in R16.6 billion, or 22% of total revenue, while limited payout machines (LPMs) — small gambling machines found in pubs or convenience stores — contributed R4.1 billion. The bingo industry earned R1.7 billion over the same period.
The NGB said that while casino earnings dropped by 4.1%, the online sector continued to grow rapidly. The number of slot machines in physical casinos fell from 21,813 to 21,370, while gaming tables declined slightly from 910 to 890, showing that many gamblers are moving from in-person venues to digital platforms.
The shift toward online gambling began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when restrictions and lockdowns pushed more people to bet using websites and mobile apps. Since then, online betting has remained the dominant form of gambling in South Africa.
The NGB’s data also highlighted the broader social picture. The gambling industry supports over 33,000 direct jobs and about 144,000 indirect jobs, meaning many people are employed in related services such as hospitality and technology. The sector also contributes R5.8 billion in taxes and levies, with the Western Cape being the largest contributor.
However, the report warned that the gambling boom comes at a time when South African households are under growing financial pressure. Many people are turning to gambling as a way to supplement their income or cover debts.
According to Old Mutual’s 2025 Savings and Investment Monitor, 52% of working South Africans gamble, and 40% admit to doing so frequently to earn extra money.
Among gamblers, sports betting is the most popular activity at 61%, followed by the lotto at 53% and slots at 52%. About 60% of gamblers play at least once a week, while nearly 10% gamble daily.
The NGB also raised concern about the country’s “problem gambling” rate, which it estimated at 31%.
This means nearly one in three gamblers struggles to control their betting habits. Data from Statistics South Africa further shows that gambling now accounts for 55% of household spending on recreation, sport, and culture — and 1.6% of total household spending, putting it just behind beer in the consumer price index (CPI) basket.
Experts warn that while gambling provides jobs and revenue, it also poses social risks if players spend beyond their means.
The NGB says it will continue monitoring the industry and working with provincial authorities to promote responsible gambling and strengthen oversight, especially of online platforms.
