The Western Cape’s winning formula: How the province leads the South African igaming sector
In the 2024 provincial gambling revenue breakdown, Western Cape topped the list with R18.79 billion (€930.2m) in gambling revenue.
South Africa.- In July 2025, a SOFTSWISS market overview report on iGaming in South Africa revealed that the Western Cape is the biggest contributor to the country’s total gambling revenue, with a 31 per cent share of the national online gaming market. The research also recognised the province’s gambling regulator, Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB), as the most progressive provincial regulator in the country.
In the 2024 provincial gambling revenue breakdown, Western Cape topped the list with R18.79 billion (€930.2m) in gambling revenue, while Gauteng ranked second with R13.10 billion (€648.4m).
The SOFTSWISS report pointed to several factors that contributed to the Western Cape dominance in the SA igaming sector, including digital readiness, clearer regulation of online casino-style products, a market for software providers, streamlined onboarding and political openness to new formats. These variables, complemented by the increasing momentum of digital wagering and established consumer habits, have created a fertile ground for igaming operators to thrive in the Western Cape.
Additionally, Western Cape stands out for its “licence on demand” system for bookmakers, which doesn’t require a physical retail presence for online betting operations. The province also leads in the implementation of the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS), ensuring that all legal gaming activities are closely tracked and monitored.
Beyond online gambling, Western Cape dominates the land-based Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) market. The province, alongside KwaZulu-Natal, accounts for nearly 45 per cent of the national LPMs total revenue of €212.5m in 2023/24.
The WCGRB operates under both national regulations and provincial laws, specifically the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Act of 1996, amended in 2009 and 2013.
The regulator seeks to foster a balanced and sustainable gaming market by ensuring that appropriate restrictions and controls are in place to limit the dangers and harms associated with gambling.
The WCGRB hosts an annual responsible gambling summit that promotes safer gambling by bringing together industry leaders to drive positive change in responsible gambling through meaningful discussions, research and knowledge sharing.
It also has a responsible gambling framework which it implements through a combination of outreach programs, public awareness campaigns and collaborative initiatives with industry stakeholders.
