
Betting accounted for more than half of South Africa’s gambling revenue of R47.2-billion in the past financial year, according to the National Gambling Board’s most recent annual report.
Casinos, on the other hand, accounted for just 37% of the total revenue in 2022/23, down from 84% in 2010.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a shift to online betting and gambling, triggered by pandemic-related shutdowns.
Wider access to the internet and the increase in the number of smartphones means gamblers no longer have to rely on physical outlets and can gamble anywhere and anytime.
Sports betting, which involves placing a wager through bookmakers such as EasyPlay or Yesplay on the outcome of a specific event, is very popular.
South Africans placed R418-billion worth of sports bets last year, an 80% increase from the R233-billion in 2021/22. The total value of bets is significantly higher than overall revenue because winnings are often ‘recycled’ to place further bets.
Casinos, on the other hand, accounted for just 37% of the total revenue in 2022/23, down from 84% in 2010.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a shift to online betting and gambling, triggered by pandemic-related shutdowns.
Wider access to the internet and the increase in the number of smartphones means gamblers no longer have to rely on physical outlets and can gamble anywhere and anytime.
Sports betting, which involves placing a wager through bookmakers such as EasyPlay or Yesplay on the outcome of a specific event, is very popular.
South Africans placed R418-billion worth of sports bets last year, an 80% increase from the R233-billion in 2021/22. The total value of bets is significantly higher than overall revenue because winnings are often ‘recycled’ to place further bets.