South Africa’s rapid rise in online gambling is triggering growing concern among civil society organisations, policymakers and religious leaders, with renewed calls for tougher legislation to protect vulnerable communities from addiction, financial hardship and wider social harm.
The concern follows the release of figures by the National Gambling Board showing that South Africa recorded a gambling turnover of R1.5 trillion during the 2024/25 financial year, up significantly from R1.1 trillion in 2023/24.
Gross gambling revenue also rose sharply from R59.3 billion to R75 billion, with online betting now accounting for around 70% of the country’s total gambling revenue.
The surge comes as many South Africans, faced with record unemployment and a rising cost of living, increasingly turn to online betting in the hope of making quick money.
One South African gambler told One Nation Media (ONM) that online betting had become deeply addictive.
“I’ve been online betting for some time now, and it has honestly become something that is very addictive in my life. I know it’s risky, but I honestly enjoy the risk that it involves. Sometimes, I can find myself betting all day long.”
The bettor acknowledged that while there were occasional wins, losses were far more common. Despite this, the possibility of making fast money continued to draw him back.
Another gambler said every cent he earned was eventually channelled into betting because it appeared to offer a way out of financial hardship.
“I thought it was a way I could make a source of income,” he said, adding that many unemployed people increasingly viewed gambling as a means of survival despite the significant financial risks involved.
Civil society organisations warn that the rapid expansion of online gambling is disproportionately affecting low-income households and unemployed young people, many of whom are already under severe economic pressure.
RISE Mzansi MP Makashule Gana described the situation as a national crisis requiring urgent intervention.
“We believe that we are in the middle of a pandemic, and doing nothing is not an option. We need to overhaul the entirety of the gambling legislation that we have in this country so that we protect the people, because no country has ever gambled its way to prosperity,” he told ONM.
Speaking to ONM, United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) Deputy Secretary-General Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat said the explosive growth of online gambling was especially concerning in a country already struggling with poverty, inequality and unemployment.
“Especially now, in a country where we’re still battling inequality, poverty and unemployment, to have these kinds of figures in terms of wealth moving towards gambling is just indefensible,” he said.
Ravat also called for stricter regulation of gambling content promoted on social media, warning that influencers were helping to normalise and glamorise betting, particularly among younger audiences.
“When it comes to online influencers, it should be totally outlawed because they’re normalising it and they’re glamorising it,” he said.
“It can be technically legal, but when it comes to influencers, I think we should push for legislation that says it’s too risky. People identify with personalities. Personalities resonate with audiences, especially younger audiences. Any association with gambling is only going to lead to disaster.”
From an Islamic perspective, gambling, known as maisir, is explicitly prohibited because it encourages the pursuit of wealth through chance rather than productive effort, often leading to addiction, financial ruin, family breakdown and wider social harm.
Muslim scholars have long argued that the consequences of gambling extend beyond the individual, affecting entire households and communities.
Political parties, advocacy groups and faith leaders are increasingly calling on the government to strengthen gambling legislation, tighten restrictions on online betting advertisements and influencer promotions, and introduce greater safeguards to protect vulnerable South Africans from the growing social and economic consequences of gambling.
