Economic Hardship Fuels Gambling Addiction in South Africa
Many local gamblers use gambling winnings to sustain their livelihoods.
South Africa.- A recent study has revealed an alarming link between economic hardship and the rising problem gambling rates in South Africa.
The research, presented by BettaBets during its Smart Money Management Workshop in Crossroads Mpumalanga, revealed disturbing insights into some South Africans’ gaming habits.
54% of participants surveyed reported using their social grant funds to sustain their gambling habits. The majority of these individuals had no alternative income sources.
89% of respondents are unemployed, and for many, gambling has become a tempting solution to their financial woes.
40% of participants confessed to having no spending limits, while 17% admitted to not budgeting at all.
An investigation by Independent Media found that local gamblers spend R500 (€25) or more on gambling and use the winnings from the activity to make ends meet.
A participant stated: “At first, it was for entertainment until I got a winning ticket; thus, I started to play to make extra cash. The winnings help me a lot; I sometimes use the money to buy clothes. I spend R300 to R500.”
Mathabo Sekhonyana, Chief Marketing Officer at BettaBets, further attributed the surge in gambling addiction to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “The pandemic led to increased online gambling due to physical restrictions on betting shops. Many people turned to gambling as a financial escape due to job losses, leading to a rise in problem gambling.
“In response, regulators and operators introduced stricter responsible gambling measures, including affordability checks and enhanced player protection policies.”
The surveys expose the harsh realities of South Africa’s economic climate, where the lines between leisure and desperation have become increasingly blurred, leading to a disturbing increase in problem gambling.
Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director of the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF), said: “Those seeking help were either employed full-time, part-time or self-employed, which tells us that their gambling was not for entertainment but became a problem as soon as their gambling intent became a source of a secondary income due to the tough socio-economic conditions they found themselves in.”
Individuals grappling with gambling disorders can access free counselling and support services from the SARGF. They can also join the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) support group for more guidance.
