KwaZulu-Natal leads gambling participation as Gauteng losses top provinces

National survey and NGB data show KwaZulu-Natal has the highest participation rate, while Gauteng records the largest land-based gambling losses per adult.

Key takeaways:

• KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest gambling participation rate at 79 per cent.
• Gauteng had the highest losses per adult from casinos, limited payout machines and bingo, at R798 (US$48.65).
• National gambling participation reached 65.7 per cent, more than double the 30.6 per cent recorded in 2017.
• Betting generated approximately R52bn (US$3.17bn), almost 70 per cent of South Africa’s gross gambling revenue in 2024/25. Online platforms accounted for an estimated 86 per cent of betting activity cited in the analysis.

South Africa.- KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest gambling participation rate among South Africa’s provinces, according to a national survey that found 79 per cent of respondents in the province had gambled in the preceding 12 months.

The Free State and Northern Cape followed, with gambling participation rates of 78 per cent and 77 per cent, respectively. Limpopo recorded 72 per cent, while Gauteng and the Eastern Cape registered 67 per cent and 64 per cent. The figures were lower in the Western Cape, at 54 per cent, Mpumalanga, at 52 per cent, and North West, at 41 per cent. Nationally, 65.7 per cent of respondents said they had gambled during the previous year, more than double the 30.6 per cent recorded in 2017.

The findings come from a recent analysis by PlayCasino.com published in the Saturday Star, which combined the National Gambling Board’s (NGB) survey of 4,407 people, conducted in April 2023, and its audited gambling statistics for the 2024/25 financial year.

Despite KwaZulu-Natal leading in participation, Gauteng recorded the highest losses per adult from casinos, limited payout machines and bingo, at R798 (US$48.65). The Western Cape followed at R690 (US$42.06), while KwaZulu-Natal recorded R646 (US$39.38). The figures varied across the other provinces. The Eastern Cape recorded R455 (US$27.74) in losses per adult, followed by North West at R394 (US$24.02) and Mpumalanga at R287 (US$17.50). The Northern Cape recorded R229 (US$13.96), the Free State R225 (US$13.72) and Limpopo R214 (US$13.05).

The differences show that gambling participation does not necessarily correspond to losses from land-based gambling. The Free State, for example, had the second-highest participation rate but the second-lowest losses per adult among the nine provinces. Limpopo had a participation rate of 72 per cent but recorded the lowest losses per adult, at R214 (US$13.05).

Nationally, gross gambling revenue reached approximately R74.5bn (US$4.54bn) in the 2024/25 financial year, from total wagers of R1.5tn (US$91.46bn). Betting on sport, horse racing and other events accounted for about R52bn (US$3.17bn) of the revenue, representing almost 70 per cent of the industry total. Betting revenue rose by 44.7 per cent year on year, while casino revenue declined by 4.1 per cent. The NGB’s statistics also show the growing importance of online betting, which accounted for an estimated 86 per cent of betting activity cited in the analysis.

PlayCasino.com said the findings highlight the importance of responsible gambling as betting accounts for a growing share of South Africa’s gambling market. The analysis advised players to set limits on their spending and stop when they reach them. It encouraged gamblers experiencing problems to access free counselling through the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Which South African province has the highest gambling participation rate? According to the analysis, KwaZulu-Natal had the highest rate, at 79 per cent of respondents who gambled in the preceding 12 months
• Which South African province records the highest gambling losses per adult? The survey found that Gauteng recorded the highest losses per adult from casinos, limited payout machines and bingo, at R798 (US$48.65).
• How much revenue did South Africa’s gambling industry generate in 2024/25? The industry generated approximately R74.5bn (US$4.54bn) in gross gambling revenue, from total wagers of around R1.5tn (US$91.46bn).
• What proportion of South Africa’s betting activity takes place online? The analysis estimated that online platforms accounted for 86 per cent of betting activity in South Africa.