According to the National Gambling Board<\/strong>, the industry cashed in over R34 billion in gross gambling revenue (GGR) in the 2022\/2023 financial year. But beyond the bright lights and jackpot buzz is a much bigger win: more than 29,000 South Africans now have a job<\/strong>, thanks to this booming sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From roulette tables to digital betting platforms accessed from mobile phones in rural towns, the gambling industry\u2019s reach is both wide and transformative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Casinos remain the biggest players, employing over 13,000 people across roles ranging from croupiers to security and admin personnel, according to Gauteng.net.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The betting sector, fuelled by the sports-mad South African public, accounts for over 7,000 jobs. These aren\u2019t just behind-the-counter gigs, there\u2019s a surge in demand for digital marketers, data analysts and IT support staff, especially in the online betting <\/strong>space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Limited Payout Machines (LPMs)<\/strong>, found in everyday venues like pubs and clubs, generate around 5,000 jobs. Meanwhile, bingo – a less flashy but steadily growing market – supports around 3,500 roles, particularly in urban entertainment centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When factoring in indirect employment, think tech support, transport, catering and cleaning, the economic footprint grows significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Online gambling<\/strong> now accounts for around 25 per cent of all gambling-related roles, according to reports from the South African Bookmakers Association (SABA)<\/strong>. These include highly skilled positions in UX design, web development, digital compliance and cybersecurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to job creation, the province of Gauteng is leading, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and then the Western Cape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Training and upskilling are also increasing. Companies such as Tsogo Sun Gaming<\/strong> and Sun International <\/strong>run in-house programmes to grow skills, while the Gambling Sector Education and Training Authority <\/strong>(GSETA) works to certify new entrants, particularly from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The numbers don\u2019t lie, this is a sector that employs, empowers and evolves. As South Africa seeks solutions to its unemployment crisis, the gambling industry is proving it’s not just about luck, it\u2019s also about livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\nThe biggest employers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Provincial breakdown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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