Gana described the sector as a growing concern for families already facing economic pressures, with South Africans wagering R1.5trn<\/strong> (\u20ac81bn) last year while the industry generated R75bn<\/strong> (\u20ac4.1bn) in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The National Gambling Board’s 2024\/25 annual report<\/strong>, presented to lawmakers earlier this month, shows online betting making up 70 per cent of that revenue, or about R52.5bn (\u20ac2.9bn), compared to 22 per cent<\/strong> from casinos. Taxes and levies from the sector totalled R5.8bn<\/strong> (\u20ac315m), supporting 33,000 direct jobs and 144,000 indirect ones<\/strong>. Yet, the report notes the industry allocated only R74m<\/strong> (\u20ac4m) to rehabilitation programmes for those affected by gambling issues. Gana argued that this amount falls short of addressing the needs of people turning to betting for quick financial relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gana, who has pushed for changes since early 2025, introduced seven specific measures during the National Assembly mini-plenary. These include limiting advertising to certain hours, raising taxes to at least 8 per cent of gross revenue, requiring operators to contribute 1% of earnings to responsible gambling efforts and enforcing rules on promotions through social media influencers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lawmaker told the assembly: “Gambling used to be a form of leisure, a pastime. But not anymore. Today, we are seeing ordinary South Africans gambling money they simply cannot afford to lose. Social grant recipients are gambling away the very funds meant to put food on their tables. Students are gambling away their NSFAS allowances, risking their education and their dignity for a fleeting thrill.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The motion drew support from several opposition parties. Inkatha Freedom Party MP Thokozani Langa<\/strong> highlighted how young people encounter promotions on unregulated platforms, encouraging gambling addiction. Economic Freedom Fighters and MK Party members<\/strong> echoed calls for higher taxes and better enforcement against illegal sites, which the NGB believes attracts significant activity despite bans on most online casino games. Only fixed-odds sports betting is fully legal under current laws, dating back to 2004.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rise Mzansi’s push builds on a petition launched earlier this year, urging limits on ads across TV, radio and digital channels. In a statement shared on X, the party noted that problem gambling affects 31 per cent of participants<\/strong>, with cases rising eightfold since 2021, particularly among those aged 25 to 35 <\/strong>in high-unemployment areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gana added: “We cannot sit idle while a trillion-rand industry feeds on the despair of the poor and the hopes of the young. We cannot continue to allow corporate profit to come before public well-being.”<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/FREE_219009999_PH_9_YWTWRVBIWOOJ-300x200.jpg\")
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