GAMING FOR AFRICA Gaming for Africa
Casino International’s Africa partner is the excellent Gaming For Africa magazine, bringing you the continent’s latest developments.
South Africa’s Gambling Surge: Online Betting Leads the Way in Record-Breaking 2023 Revenue
As debate rages in the media around wagers from the South African public breaking the R1-Trillion mark during the previous fi nancial year, it may be worthwhile to examine the numbers in an high-level overview, as the conversation will inevitably move towards all stakeholders taking a closer look at the proposed Remote Gambling Bill, which aims to ‘bridge’ the legal gap in existing legislation as technological advancements amid increased online access on online gambling.
South Africa’s gambling industry reached unprecedented heights in the 2023-24 fi nancial year, with total revenue soaring to a record ZAR59.3 billion—a 25.7% increase from the previous year’s ZAR47.12 billion. The rise was largely driven by the booming online sports betting sector, which has now overtaken traditional casinos as the country’s top revenue source.
AS PER THE NATIONAL GAMBLING BOARD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
At the end of FY2023/24, R1.1 trillion was wagered in the South African gambling industry, which is 40.2% higher than the turnover generated during the previous fi nancial year. Gross gambling revenue (GGR) amounted to R59.3 billion, a 25.7% increase from the previous year.
Analysis of GGR by gambling mode revealed betting to have generated 60.5% of industry GGR at R35.9 billion. Casinos also generated a sizable proportion of GGR at R17.4 billion (29.3%). The LPM industry is the third largest sector (7.0%), generating R4.1 billion during FY2023/24. The bingo industry generated 3.2% of revenues at R1.9 billion. GGR growth between the modes of gambling showed unbalanced growth between the modes of gambling with betting driving growth. Betting increased by 51.2% relative to the previous year. The casino industry saw miniscule growth (0.1%), while LPM GGR declined by 1.9%. The bingo industry experienced low growth of 2.4%. Taxes/levies amounted to R4.8 billion
28 FEBRUARY 2025
results, with LPM revenue dropping 1.9% to ZAR4.15 billion and bingo rising slightly by 2.4% to ZAR1.89 billion. These trends underscore a clear shift toward online gambling among South African players.
during FY2023/24, which is 19.2% higher than the value in the previous year. Betting generated the largest proportion of taxes/ levies at 49.9%, followed by casinos (36.5%), LPMs (10.2%) and bingo (3.4%).
ONLINE SPORTS BETTING DOMINATES
Digital platforms have reshaped South Africa’s gambling landscape, with online sports betting emerging as the leading contributor to the industry’s success. Generating ZAR28.97 billion—nearly half of the total gambling revenue—online sports betting grew by an impressive 51.2% year-on-year. Overall, sports betting accounted for ZAR35.91 billion, over 60% of total gambling revenue, highlighting the sector’s rapid expansion and the shifting preferences of modern players.
Despite online betting being legally permitted in only fi ve provinces (Western Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and North West), consumer demand continues to fuel its growth. By comparison, retail betting generated ZAR6.94 billion, further solidifying online betting as the dominant force in South Africa’s gambling market.
TRADITIONAL CASINOS SEE MINIMAL GROWTH
While online betting thrives, land-based casinos have experienced stagnation, with revenue reaching ZAR17.36 billion—a marginal 0.1% increase from the previous year. Other sectors, such as Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) and bingo, saw mixed
RECORD PLAYER SPENDING Player spending also hit an all-time high, with South Africans wagering ZAR1.14 trillion in 2023-24, a 40.2% increase from the previous year’s ZAR815.11 billion. Sports betting dominated with ZAR761.26 billion in wagers— accounting for over two-thirds of total spending—while casinos followed with ZAR297.42 billion.
REGIONAL LEADERS: WESTERN CAPE AND GAUTENG
The Western Cape led in revenue, generating ZAR18.79 billion from ZAR353.19 billion in player bets. Its legalisation of online sports betting has been a signifi cant driver of growth. Gauteng ranked second with ZAR13.10 billion in revenue from ZAR173.7 billion in bets, while Mpumalanga led in player wagers at ZAR359.34 billion but ranked third in revenue at ZAR12.98 billion. Economic Impact and Tax Revenue The gambling sector’s growth has
signifi cantly boosted tax revenue, which reached ZAR4.84 billion in 2023-24. Sports betting accounted for half of this amount, contributing ZAR2.41 billion, with ZAR889 million derived from online betting specifi cally. This economic contribution supports government funding and highlights the broader impact of the industry on South Africa’s economy.
A DIGITAL FUTURE
As South Africa’s gambling industry evolves, the shift toward online platforms is clear. With the convenience and accessibility of digital betting, particularly in sports, younger generations are embracing these platforms, signaling sustained growth in the online sector. While traditional casinos maintain a steady presence, the future of South African gambling is fi rmly rooted in the digital space.
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