How SA’s gambling industry is powering 29,000 jobs as unemployment rises
From slot machines to online sportsbooks, South Africa’s gambling sector is proving to be more than just a game, it’s a jobs machine amid a growing unemployment crisis.
South Africa.- In a country where nearly one in three people are jobless, the gambling industry isn’t just playing games, it’s flipping the script. While the unemployment rate hovers at a harsh 32.9 per cent in South Africa, this sector is dealing out opportunity, one job at a time, while turbocharging digital skills and pouring billions into the economy.
According to the National Gambling Board, the industry cashed in over R34 billion in gross gambling revenue (GGR) in the 2022/2023 financial year. But beyond the bright lights and jackpot buzz is a much bigger win: more than 29,000 South Africans now have a job, thanks to this booming sector.
From roulette tables to digital betting platforms accessed from mobile phones in rural towns, the gambling industry’s reach is both wide and transformative.
The biggest employers
Casinos remain the biggest players, employing over 13,000 people across roles ranging from croupiers to security and admin personnel, according to Gauteng.net.
The betting sector, fuelled by the sports-mad South African public, accounts for over 7,000 jobs. These aren’t just behind-the-counter gigs, there’s a surge in demand for digital marketers, data analysts and IT support staff, especially in the online betting space.
Limited Payout Machines (LPMs), found in everyday venues like pubs and clubs, generate around 5,000 jobs. Meanwhile, bingo – a less flashy but steadily growing market – supports around 3,500 roles, particularly in urban entertainment centres.
When factoring in indirect employment, think tech support, transport, catering and cleaning, the economic footprint grows significantly.
Online gambling now accounts for around 25 per cent of all gambling-related roles, according to reports from the South African Bookmakers Association (SABA). These include highly skilled positions in UX design, web development, digital compliance and cybersecurity.
Provincial breakdown
When it comes to job creation, the province of Gauteng is leading, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and then the Western Cape.
Training and upskilling are also increasing. Companies such as Tsogo Sun Gaming and Sun International run in-house programmes to grow skills, while the Gambling Sector Education and Training Authority (GSETA) works to certify new entrants, particularly from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The numbers don’t lie, this is a sector that employs, empowers and evolves. As South Africa seeks solutions to its unemployment crisis, the gambling industry is proving it’s not just about luck, it’s also about livelihoods.
