Online gambling is turning into an addiction for South Africa’s young and vulnerable.
Gambling popularly takes place on casino floors, but now we have our very own slot machines in our back pocket. Over the past five years, youth gambling in South Africa has been on a steady increase, and for some has turned into full blown addiction.
From Betway to Hollywoodbets, South Africans have a variety of platforms to place their bets. Constant marketing and social media screengrabs of other users’ wins, fueling participation.
A South African online research company, Infoquest, conducted a study in 2024, to track the habits of approximately 300 South African gamblers. In 2025, a follow-up study was conducted to indicate the various trends that took place over the period.
The study shows that online gaming and betting remain favourites among South Africans, aged 18- 35, while the National Lottery is popular among older gamblers.
As the Boomer generation slowly stops visiting casinos and the consumer numbers for casinos begins to decline, online gambling continues to surge.
In a country that has a high youth unemployment rate, sitting at 46.1% for those aged 15 –34 in the second quarter of 2025, it is not shocking to see a rise in fast money side quests and high gambling amongst the youth.
Celebrities and influencers are used to help promote and advertise these platforms. South Africa’s Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, plays for the Sharks rugby team, a team which is sponsored by Hollywoodbets. This Sponsorship indirectly places Kolisi and other players in a position where they are associated with the platform.
Online gambling can be very addictive, as the platforms and their algorithms are designed to keep the consumer engaged for long periods of time. This can lead to increased financial risk-taking, which is often short-lived as they lose their money.
By applying game design elements to these platforms, gamers find enjoyment as they receive rewards, and this keeps them engaged and wanting to bet more often. Gamers can earn points, advance to other levels and receive rewards as an incentive to continue playing.
The National Gambling Board (NGB) needs to have tighter regulations in place to ensure that young South Africans can mitigate the risks of addiction from online betting.
Provincial Gambling Boards, should be granted the right to enforce regulations on gambling platforms, as they currently have no jurisdiction when it involves online gambling and betting, as these are under national jurisdiction. They should be able to monitor and audit online gambling platforms, regulate online marketing and advertising, and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
Online gambling poses severe risks. Urgent attention to this matter, transparent industry practices and stronger governmental regulations are essential in order to mitigate the harm that comes with online gambling.
FEATURED IMAGE: Bonolo Mokonoto. Photo: File/ Paul Botes
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