Online betting tops South Africa’s digital fraud hotlist
New TransUnion study published mid-year 2025 shows online betting and poker had the highest suspected fraud rates in 2024 as criminals zeroed in on South Africa’s booming igaming scene.
South Africa.- The house isn’t the only one winning. Online betting and poker platforms have emerged as the biggest targets for digital fraudsters in South Africa, according to TransUnion’s 2025 State of Omnichannel Fraud Report, released in June 2025.
The report, based on data gathered from November to December 2024, reveals that suspected digital fraud attempts in South Africa were highest in the igaming industry including online betting and poker platforms, surging to 6.3 per cent. That makes it the most targeted sector in the country, outpacing even insurance and retail.
Gaming fraud in South Africa also saw a significant increase in transaction volume, jumping 20 per cent year-on-year despite an 8.1 per cent drop in the overall fraud rate. The message is clear: online criminals are doubling down on igaming platforms, drawn by high traffic and high stakes.
“With South Africa having the second greatest number of smartphone connections in Sub-Saharan Africa, with people using mobile phones to conduct their everyday business, connect with friends, or keep in touch with family, it’s easy to understand why digital fraud would be such a common tactic among fraudsters targeting this region,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud solutions at TransUnion Africa.
Consumers caught in the crossfire
Nationwide, 68 per cent of South Africans reported being targeted by fraud via email, text, phone, or online (from August to December 2024). Phishing (33 per cent) and smishing (31 per cent) were the most common techniques, but third-party scams on legitimate retail sites weren’t far behind at 28 per cent.
The cost of these crimes is rising. Among those surveyed, 33 per cent said they lost money to scams over the past year. Third-party seller fraud topped the crime list, followed by money mule scams (26 per cent) and stolen credit card or fraudulent charges (23 per cent).
Globally, communities and video gaming platforms were also under siege, with 12 per cent and 11 per cent of transactions respectively flagged as suspicious.
“Cybercriminals take advantage of the trust inherent on community-based platforms, and target members with a wide range of scammer solicitations,” said Reddy.
While fraud rates may be down in some sectors, the digital poker table is still hot and the scammers are playing for keeps.
