The National Gambling Board (NGB) has warned South Africans, especially people aged 25 to 34, against relying on gambling as a way to supplement their income.
The warning follows research showing a growing prevalence of problem gambling in this age group, raising concerns about financial vulnerability and the effects of increased digital access to gambling.
NGB acting chief executive officer Lungile Dukwana said the 2023/24 study found that the 25 to 34 group accounted for a large share of participation across major gambling forms.
According to the study, 53% of participants in online sports betting and other contingencies were aged between 25 and 34. The same age group represented 53% of those who took part in retail sports betting and 49% of casino participants. The research also found that 55% of identified problem gamblers were in the same age bracket.
While Dukwana cautioned against assuming that a specific gambling type directly leads to problem gambling among young adults, he said the study showed that, overall, commonly preferred modes among problem gamblers included lucky draws (56%), the National Lottery (55%), and sports betting (50%).
He emphasized that the research does not break down which particular gambling mode drives problem gambling within the 25 to 34 cohort, warning against singling out sports betting alone.
The NGB also said betting dominates South Africa’s gambling market. It reported that betting gross gambling revenue (GGR) increased from about R35.9 billion in the 2023/24 financial year to R52 billion in 2024/25, representing a 44.7% rise within one year. Betting now accounts for approximately 69.8% of the country’s total gambling GGR, compared with 22.3% for casinos.
Dukwana noted that the growth of smartphones and digital platforms has changed how people access gambling. The NGB’s research found that 92% of gamblers who accessed gambling online did so using a cellphone.
Online sports and horse-racing betting were identified as the most frequently used online gambling options, with convenience, immediate access to funds, and bonuses and promotions among the main reasons for choosing digital platforms.
At the same time, Dukwana said the rapid expansion of digital access poses major challenges for regulators. He warned that online gambling through mobile devices has contributed to an increase in illegal gambling and has intensified concerns about compulsive and addictive gambling.
The NGB highlighted that the combination of accessibility, convenience, advertising, and continuous availability through smartphones increases risk.
However, Dukwana stressed that it would be incorrect to argue that smartphones themselves cause problem gambling. Instead, he said greater accessibility lowers barriers that previously limited participation, making stronger consumer protection and responsible gambling safeguards even more necessary.
The NGB said its latest research indicates a significant rise in both overall gambling participation and the number of identified problem gamblers compared with its previous national study.
