Gambling-linked psychiatric admissions surged between 2021 and 2024, according to a new 2025 report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johannesburg, South Africa: A 2025 report by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF)<\/strong> has found that gambling-related psychiatric evaluations and inpatient admissions have surged. This increase was between the period of 2021 and 2024. It also found that full-time workers made up the majority of gamblers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As desperation and unemployment deepens, more South Africans are seeking solace in betting, often at a heavy cost to their mental health<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a broadcast radio bulleting on Yfm<\/strong>, the SARGF painted a sobering picture. It said nearly 3,000 people had reached out to the foundation’s toll-free counselling line between April and December 2023 alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Previously land-based gambling and betting (casino, bingo, payout machines, sports betting and horse racing) was the most preferred way for people to try their luck at making some money, however that has now morphed to online betting,” the foundation’s Executive Director, Sibongile Simelane-Quntana<\/strong>, told the broadcaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift dramatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The lockdown fast-tracked the migration due to the limited human movement and contact of the lockdown restrictions,” added Simelane-Quntana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With smartphones in hand and betting platforms just a click away, gambling has slipped from the casino floor into bedrooms, taxis and lunch breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between April 2019 and March 2024, men have emerged as the biggest bettors, with those aged 35 to 65 making up the largest group. The 25-35 bracket follows closely behind, while gambling among youth under 25 remains lower – at least for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps even more concerning is that full-time workers were found to make up the majority of gamblers. This underlines the harsh reality that even those with steady jobs are turning to betting as a financial lifeline. This paints a picture of one for survival, in a country where unemployment is around 31 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As more South Africans tip from social to problem gambling<\/strong>, the foundation is urging the public to seek help before it’s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We call on people to seek help if they feel that they are spiralling out of control and spending money they don’t have,” the SARGF said.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe rise of online betting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who is gambling and who is paying the price<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An industry in overdrive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n