Rolling the dice: SA’s growing appetite for gambling and betting

South Africa’s gambling industry has rapidly transformed from a niche activity into a dominant economic force, with betting—fueled by digital platforms—overtaking casinos as the primary sector. This surge generates significant tax revenue and financial transaction volume but signals a profound shift in consumer spending toward speculative, non-productive activities. The integration of gambling into digital payment systems exacerbates household financial vulnerability, highlighting a critical tension between economic contribution and social risk. This evolution underscores an urgent need for regulatory frameworks to catch up withContinue Reading