There is a growing concern over an increase in gambling among South Africans.
Financial pressures have South Africans in a chokehold, with the cost of living continuously on the rise, affecting areas of financial responsibility such as tuition fees, groceries, petrol and much more.
It seems those who resort to gambling out of desperation see it as an easy way to relieve financial pressure.
According to national gambling statistics drawn up by the National Gambling Board of South Africa (NGB), South Africans spent R1,1 trillion on gambling during the 2023-’24 financial year. This is the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The total gross gambling revenue for this period was R59,3 million, a 25,7% increase from the previous financial year.
InfoQuest, a leading South African online research company, has done some extensive research on gambling trends in South Africa. Last year it conducted a survey among 300 gamblers.
It found that “playing the lottery is the most popular form of gambling in South Africa, three in four gamblers taking part in this activity,” said Claire Heckrath, a managing director at InfoQuest.
“This is followed by gambling via online gaming platforms and sports betting. [InfoQuest] found that gamblers, on average, take part in three different types of gambling activities.
“InfoQuest’s statistics show that 75% play the lottery, followed by 62% participating in online gaming and betting, and 55% engage in sports betting. Online slot machines stand at 48%, casino slots at 33%, casino tables at 24% and horse betting at 22%.
“For economically-constrained consumers, however, gambling presents a particularly risky pastime fraught with potential pitfalls. With limited disposable income, individuals may view gambling as a quick-fix solution to their financial woes, often chasing elusive wins in the hope of improving their circumstances.
“Moreover, the prevalence of unregulated gambling establishments and online platforms exacerbates these risks, as vulnerable consumers may fall prey to predatory practices and fraudulent schemes. Responsible gambling practices, such as setting strict budgets, recognising warning signs of addiction and seeking help when needed are crucial for safeguarding both financial well-being and overall mental health.”
It has been found by InfoQuest that gambling at casinos as well as placing bets on horses mainly take place over weekends.
“Playing the lottery and online gaming/betting are gambling activities that are generally not restricted to particular times and take place throughout the week and weekend, being influenced by their online functionality,” InfoQuest’s report reads.
The gamblers indicated that on average they participated in sports betting 12 times a month, followed by online gaming/betting 11 times a month, and horse betting and online slot machines 10 times a month.
“The possibility of winning much-needed funds is the main reason for gambling,” the report said. “There is also a recreational element with some saying that it is fun and a good way to socialise.”
Seventy percent said they gambled alone, while 19% claimed they gambled with friends and 16% said they did so with a family member.
Gamblers had many reasons why they decided to gamble. InfoQuest found that 25% of gamblers do so because they needed extra money and hoped they would win. On the other hand 23% indicated it was the luck of the draw and it may be their lucky day, while 21% hoped for a big payout to change their family’s life circumstances.
The report further stated that the emergence of online gambling had “revolutionised the industry, providing players with unprecedented access to diverse platforms and betting opportunities.”
