SARGF sounds alarm over increase in problem gambling referrals
SARGF Executive Director Simelane-Quntana attributed the rise of problem gambling to two key factors: the increasing lure of easy money and gambling advertising.
South Africa.- The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has expressed concern over a substantial increase in the number of individuals seeking treatment for gambling addiction. According to Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, SARGF Executive Director, in 2024/25, the foundation received 4,126 treatment referrals, a 40 per cent increase from the 2,648 referrals recorded in the 2023/24 financial year. A year before that, specifically 2022/23, the figure was 2,253.
Simelane-Quntana attributed the rise of problem gambling to two key factors: the increasing lure of easy money and gambling advertising. She noted that excessive gambling is trapping people in a cycle of poverty, as they chase financial relief through high-risk bets.
The SARGF Executive Director observed that many problem gamblers were using gambling as a means to boost their income, while others were betting to mask financial difficulties or pay off debts accumulated elsewhere. She further reported that men are more susceptible to problem gambling than women, and most of those affected are employed full-time.
The increase in problem gamblers has been matched by a corresponding rise in gambling advertising, with the industry spending R2.6 billion (€126m) on promotions as of March 2025. Simelane-Quntana said: “This is concerning, as we see a surge of problematic gambling in South Africa, which results in an increase in social and psychological health issues in our country. This is also reflected by the R2.6 billion spent on gambling advertising, as reported for up to March 2025.”
Sports betting operators, including Hollywoodbets, Betway, and World Sports Betting, led the charge, spending R1.3 billion (€63m), which accounted for more than 60 per cent of the total advertising expenditure. Digital platforms raked in around R900 million (€44m) of the ad funds.
Putting it into perspective, gross gambling revenue in 2024 amounted to R59 billion (€2.9bn) – a 26 per cent increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the total bets wagered reached R1.14 trillion (€55.5bn) in the financial year ending March 2024, up by 40 per cent year-on-year.
Simelane-Quntana identified signs of problem gambling as borrowing money to gamble, using betting as a stress coping mechanism and dishonesty about one’s whereabouts while gambling. Other red flags included obsessing over gambling, chasing losses and not knowing when to stop.
