Gambling crisis deepens as South Africans choose betting over basic needs

South Africa is facing a deepening gambling crisis, with experts, politicians, and business leaders warning that more people are turning to betting than buying food and basic household necessities.

This comes as new figures from the National Gambling Board show that gambling operators’ gross gambling revenue surged from R59 billion in 2023/24 to R75 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, a 26 percent annual increase. The report further revealed that South Africans spent an estimated R1.5 trillion on gambling activities in the past financial year, compared to R1.1 trillion the previous year.

Pick n Pay Chief Executive Officer Sean Summers has called for urgent government intervention to curb what he described as an “out of control” gambling problem that is damaging families and the economy.

Speaking after the release of Pick n Pay’s interim financial results on Monday, Summers said the situation had become “horrendous.”

“South Africa’s consumers are under extreme pressure,” Summers said. “There is evidence that up to R1 billion a month is being taken offshore through online gambling. There are estimates that up to 20 percent of government social grants are spent on online gambling — money that should be used to buy food and essential items.”

Summers added that several countries, including Italy, Norway, and Belgium, had introduced measures this year to restrict or ban online gambling advertising. “I believe South Africa should consider similar steps before this crisis grows beyond control,” he said.

The rising trend in gambling has become visible across communities and platforms. From televised sports events to mobile apps and billboards, gambling advertisements have become widespread, targeting both the young and the old, the poor and the wealthy.

RISE Mzansi has also raised concern about the growing social and economic damage caused by gambling. Party spokesperson and National Assembly Whip, Makashule Gana, said the trend has reached dangerous levels and called on leaders across sectors to take decisive action.

“The gambling crisis is out of control and horrendous,” Gana said in a statement. “Those in positions of power, whether in business, academia, health, sports, or politics, can no longer ignore this crisis. Look left, look right, look up, and look down, you see gambling advertising everywhere, enticing all of society while leaving a trail of deadly destruction.”

Gana said RISE Mzansi has sponsored a National Assembly debate to address the gambling crisis, scheduled for later this week. “Time will tell where political parties and their leaders stand on this issue,” he said.

Social media users have also weighed in, with many expressing concern about how widespread online gambling has become in South Africa.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “It’s finally happening. The South African online gambling virus has spread deep into the retail sector, torching financial performance. Consumers are already being crushed by debt, higher costs of living, and now gambling losses. We are seeing a real-time case study in extractive economics.”

Another user agreed that gambling should be banned, saying it had destroyed many families.

For residents like Amanda Truter from Boksburg, the crisis is personal. Speaking to South African Daily on Tuesday, she said her 65-year-old mother has developed a severe gambling problem that has strained family relationships and finances.

“My mother is a pensioner. Every little cent she gets, she rushes to the ATM to deposit money into her account and start gambling,” Truter said. “At times, she hardly eats or takes a bath. Her gambling happens day and night. Two months ago, she sold her car just to get money to gamble.”

Truter said her mother often borrows money from neighbours but never pays them back. “It is painful to watch. She is losing everything she worked for because of gambling,” she added.

According to the National Gambling Board, the surge in online gambling has been one of the major drivers of the crisis. Advances in technology have made gambling more accessible through smartphones and computers, allowing people to place bets at any time.

Community organisations and advocacy groups are calling for stronger regulations on gambling advertising, as well as better support systems for those struggling with addiction. RISE Mzansi has launched an online petition titled Gambling Crisis — Sign the Petition, urging citizens to join the call for government action.

In the meantime, business leaders like Summers believe South Africa needs to confront the crisis head-on before it causes irreversible harm. “We cannot continue watching billions leave our economy while families go hungry,” he said. “This is not just an economic issue, it is a moral one that affects every South African household.”

The debate moves to Parliament later this week.