Pick n Pay CEO calls for online gambling ad ban in South Africa
Sean Summers claimed that offshore betting platforms are draining over R1bn (€52m) from the country every week.
South Africa.- Sean Summers, CEO of Pick n Pay, South Africa’s leading retail chain, has strongly advocated for a blanket ban on online gambling advertising in the country, warning that the sector is “totally out of control” and costing the economy billions weekly.
In an interview on CapeTalk’s Afternoon Drive with John Maytham, Summers claimed that offshore betting platforms are draining more than R1bn (€52m) from the country every week, depriving the local economy of vital funds.
He referenced banking data which reveals that around 20 per cent of social grants, particularly SASSA benefits meant for essentials such as food and rent, are being spent on mobile betting apps. Summers said: “It’s down at the lower end of the market where people are battling to feed their families, never mind anything else. It’s just bizarre, and the quantum is absolutely massive.”
In the last fiscal year, South Africa’s gambling losses reached ZAR 70bn (€3.6bn), a figure comparable to Pick n Pay’s annual turnover. Summers described online gambling as a “scourge” that local authorities need to urgently address. Unlike land-based casinos and lotteries, which generate jobs and contribute taxes, he posits that online platforms quietly siphon money out of the economy without benefits to local communities.
The Chief Executive also urged for a regulated approach, similar to European countries like Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK, which have implemented bans or restrictions on gambling advertising, especially near areas frequented by children and in public spaces.
The sector’s rapid growth, nearly 60 per cent year-on-year, is driven by smartphones and advertising, making gambling more accessible than ever. Summers expressed concern that vulnerable citizens, including low-income earners and students, are disproportionately affected.
He emphasised that many individuals in poverty turn to online betting as a last resort, often resulting in devastating financial consequences. He said: “This is money that has been hoovered out of this economy in extraordinary amounts, and the people who are predominantly the victims are the ones who can least afford it.”
Comparing the industry’s current practices to the harmful promotion of tobacco, Summers called for stronger regulations and higher taxes, but recommended banning gambling advertisements altogether.
The gambling industry generated R75bn (€3.9bn) in gross revenue in 2024-2025, with online betting representing the fastest-growing segment. The National Gambling Board and other provincial regulatory agencies in South Africa have signalled intentions to tighten controls, including cracking down on gambling influencer promotions.
