Over R1 trillion wagered in South Africa in a year — Daily Maverick
Over the past year, the total amount wagered on gambling in South Africa exceeded R1 trillion. About 60% of the country’s gambling market is now accounted for by online betting, the volume of which grew from approximately R10 billion in 2018 to more than R150 billion in 2023, Daily Maverick reports.
Psychologist Anwar Parker, who works with young people affected by gambling, linked the problem to the growing accessibility of online platforms. He noted that bets can be placed from a smartphone, while cashless payments may conceal from gamblers how quickly their spending is decreasing. Host KG Mokgadi also pointed out that gambling services are available even in banking apps.
Spending social benefits and debt
Rise Mzansi member of parliament Makashule Gana said that the active growth of online gambling coincided with the payment of Social Relief of Distress state assistance introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation found that nearly 45% of benefit recipients, including those receiving support from Sassa and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, admitted that they had spent money intended for living expenses and education on gambling.
According to an Old Mutual report for 2026, 42% of employed South Africans frequently gamble in the hope of covering expenses or debts. Economist Johan Fourie described this pattern as an attempt at accumulation: people regularly wager small sums in anticipation of a large win.
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Advertising and regulation
South Africa’s National Gambling Board has expressed concern over the large-scale advertising of bookmakers, pointing to possible violations of the Gambling Act’s restrictions on advertising aimed at minors. The number of calls to the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline rose from 65,000 in the 2022/23 financial year to 140,000 in 2023/24 and exceeded 1 million in 2024/25.
Investigative outlet amaBhungane wrote that Martin Moshal, the beneficiary of trusts holding a 45% stake in Super Group, Betway’s holding company, has donated more than R100 million to the DA, ActionSA, IFP and Bosa parties since 2021. At the same time, the outlet stressed that it has no evidence that he lobbied for regulatory preferences, while a source linked to Moshal called suggestions of such a connection false and defamatory.
Super Group’s African segment, 80% of which is accounted for by South Africa, recorded a profit margin of more than 35% in 2025. Since mid-2025, the company has paid nearly R4 billion in dividends.
