Momentum Group Foundation has warned about gambling revenue increasing with more financially strained consumers turning to gambling.
Salem Nyati, Consumer Financial Education Specialist at Momentum Group Foundation said that most South Africans aren’t gambling more because times are good, they’re gambling more because money is tight. “South Africa’s gambling industry generated a record R75 billion in gross gambling revenue in 2024/25, while the betting segment alone had already grown dramatically from R8.8 billion in 2019/20 to R23.7 billion by 2022/23. Concerningly, 39% of online punters say they are gambling more than they were a year ago according to Trade Intelligence research, while the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) recorded a 55% increase in people seeking help.”
Nyati added that, more concerningly, some consumers admit that they are now prioritising betting over essentials like groceries. “In an economy increasingly defined by rising food prices, mounting debt pressure, shrinking disposable income, and high unemployment – of which a large portion resides in the youth segment – online betting is increasingly being perceived as a shortcut to financial relief.”
Nyati said that the problem is not only the scale of online gambling; it’s also the mindset slowly forming around it – particularly among financially vulnerable consumers and younger South Africans increasingly exposed to betting culture online and among the adults in their lives. “And that is, that it’s glamorous, easy, and pays off fast. Social media is flooded with stories of overnight wins, “big hits,” and high-risk lifestyles. Casinos employ tactics to make wins seem even more alluring, with ringing bells and overtly luxurious surroundings.
