Gambling spending in South Africa quadruples to R74.5 billion

Gambling turnover in South Africa increased more than fourfold in nine years, rising from R358 billion in 2015 to approximately R1.5 trillion in 2024.

This 'turnover' figure, however, represents the total amount wagered, including money won and then re-bet.

For a more accurate measure of actual household spending on betting, Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR) is the preferred metric.

GGR is calculated by subtracting winnings paid back to players from total wagers, reflecting the net financial outlay.

GGR rose rapidly from R26.3 billion in 2015 to R74.5 billion in 2024.

This R74.5 billion is significantly lower than the R1.5 trillion turnover often cited.

The South African Reserve Bank highlights this distinction to provide a clearer picture of the financial impact on households, emphasizing that GGR better reflects the true cost of gambling to consumers.

Growth in gross gambling revenue (GGR) accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, largely driven by a notable increase in online betting.

This shift indicates evolving consumer habits towards more accessible digital platforms.

Despite this recent surge, gambling remains a relatively small part of overall household spending in South Africa. Classified under 'games of chance' in household expenditure statistics, this category represented 1.3% of total household spending in 2024, up from 1.1% in 2015.

GGR as a percentage of total household spending also increased from 0.9% to 1.6% over the same period.

While gambling spending, especially online, has increased, its overall contribution to the total household budget remains modest compared to essential goods and services, which also saw increased expenditure.