You might not notice it walking down the street, but behind smartphone screens and betting slips, South Africans are gambling more than ever before.
In fact, over R1 trillion was wagered in the past year alone — and most of it wasn’t even inside a casino.
The Digital Shift in Gambling Habits
Gone are the days when hitting the slots or blackjack tables at a casino was the go-to gambling fix.
Now, it’s all about online betting, especially on sports and horse racing.
Since around 2021, this trend has exploded, and today, two-thirds of all gambling spending is on betting.
The National Gambling Board says betting has outpaced casinos in terms of turnover by a long shot.
A whopping R761 billion was spent on betting last year, compared to R297 billion at casinos.
From Niche Hobby to Everyday Activity
Once considered a pastime for a select few, gambling has now become mainstream.
The National Gambling Authority even remarked on how betting has transitioned into a regular activity across society.
It’s no longer confined to smoky casino halls — it’s in your pocket, just a few taps away.
The Western Cape Leads the Pack
When it comes to gambling revenue, the Western Cape has shot ahead.
Not only did it dethrone Gauteng as the top gambling province, but it also pulled in R5 billion more than Gauteng during the 2024 financial year.
This is a big shift considering Gauteng used to dominate the gambling scene just a few years ago.
But now, the tables have turned — and the Western Cape is winning big.
Mpumalanga Punches Above Its Weight
Here’s a surprising twist — Mpumalanga, despite having a much smaller population, recorded nearly the same gambling revenue as Gauteng.
And when it comes to total money spent (the turnover), it actually beat both Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Betting is the number one form of gambling here, too. In fact, 96% of gambling in Mpumalanga is spent on betting, while in the Western Cape, it’s about 84%.
Casinos Still Reign in Gauteng
While betting dominates elsewhere, Gauteng still leans heavily on casinos.
According to the National Gambling Board, 77% of gambling turnover in Gauteng came from casinos in 2024.
Other provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the Eastern Cape also saw more action at traditional casinos.
Bingo Holds Its Ground in Certain Areas
Meanwhile, bingo is still going strong, especially in North West and the Eastern Cape, where it makes up about 25% of gambling turnover.
It’s a reminder that while betting is surging, other forms of gambling haven’t disappeared — they’ve just found their regional strongholds.
The Government Is Cashing In
With all this betting and gambling, there’s one clear winner — the South African government.
Last year alone, it collected a solid R4.8 billion in taxes and levies from gambling.
That’s a nice chunk of change coming from people’s love of a flutter.