South African online gambling grew 390% in four years, SRI finds
The Solidarity Research Institute cites wider smartphone access and increased advertising as factors, and wants tighter ad rules and tougher enforcement against illegal online casinos.
Key takeaways:
- Online gambling in South Africa increased by 390 per cent between 2021 and 2025, according to the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) report Online Gambling in South Africa, published in October 2026.
- The report identifies wider smartphone access and increased gambling advertising as contributing factors.
- The industry recorded approximately R1.5tn (US$90.9bn) in wagers in 2024/25, with almost three-quarters wagered online. This is total turnover, including re-wagered winnings, not player losses.
- Solidarity wants tighter advertising rules, stronger enforcement against illegal online casinos and stronger safeguards for young people and financially vulnerable consumers.
South Africa.- Online gambling in South Africa increased by 390 per cent between 2021 and 2025, according to a report by the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI), which has called for tighter controls on gambling advertising and stronger enforcement against illegal online casino operators.
The report, Online Gambling in South Africa, published by Solidarity in October 2026, examines the sector’s growth, its implications for household finances and gaps in the country’s regulatory framework. SRI economic researcher Theuns du Buisson authored the report, which identifies wider smartphone access and increased gambling advertising as factors contributing to the expansion.
South Africa’s gambling industry recorded approximately R1.5tn (US$90.9bn) in wagers during the 2024/25 financial year, with almost three-quarters of the total wagered online, according to the report. The figure represents total turnover, including winnings that players wager again, rather than the amount they lose. Operators retained R74.5bn (US$4.5bn) in gross gambling revenue after paying winnings to players.
The report also examines household spending, citing Statistics South Africa data for 2023 showing that gambling accounted for R191.4bn (US$11.6bn), or 34.4 per cent, of household expenditure on services. Healthcare was the only service category with higher spending, at R199.7bn (US$12.1bn).
Du Buisson argues that the figures should be considered alongside financial pressures on households, particularly where gambling is promoted as a way to earn additional income. The report warns that gambling losses can leave households with less money for essential expenses. It also cites preliminary research by the National Gambling Board (NGB) indicating that some people are taking out high-risk loans or using social grants to fund their gambling.
International research cited in the report associates online gambling with a two- to fourfold higher likelihood of problem gambling than other forms of gambling. The report distinguishes between licensed online betting, which is legal in South Africa subject to applicable licensing requirements, and online casino games, which remain prohibited under the country’s gambling laws. It also raises concerns about the continued advertising of illegal online casino platforms.
Solidarity wants the government to tighten gambling advertising rules, step up enforcement against illegal online casinos and strengthen safeguards for young people and financially vulnerable consumers. Hannes Noëth, executive director of Solidarity, warned that gambling losses can affect children and other family members by reducing the money available for household necessities. The report also argues that any new online gambling tax should be accompanied by effective measures to block illegal operators.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How much did online gambling grow in South Africa between 2021 and 2025? Online gambling increased by 390 per cent over the period, according to the SRI report.
- What factors does the SRI report link to the growth? The report identifies wider smartphone access and increased gambling advertising as factors contributing to the expansion.
- How much was wagered in South Africa in 2024/25? The report puts total wagers at approximately R1.5tn (US$90.9bn), with almost three-quarters placed online. Operators retained R74.5bn (US$4.5bn) in gross gambling revenue.
- Is online gambling legal in South Africa? The report distinguishes between licensed online betting, which is legal subject to applicable licensing requirements, and online casino games, which remain prohibited under the country’s gambling laws.
