South Africa’s gambling scene is changing fast, and the numbers prove it.
New data from the National Gambling Board (NGB) shows that online betting has officially overtaken casinos as the country’s dominant form of gambling. For the 2024 financial year, the industry recorded a total turnover of R1.5 trillion (about US$87 billion), generating R75 billion in gross gambling revenue.
Online betting alone accounted for R44.5 billion, nearly three times more than what casinos made (R16.6 billion). It’s a clear sign that digital platforms, mobile apps, and easy e-payments are pulling gamblers away from slot machines and tables.
Casinos, once the crown jewel of South Africa’s gambling economy, are now feeling the squeeze. The NGB report shows a drop of 443 slot machines across the country last year, alongside declines in gaming-table revenues and other in-person formats like bingo and limited-payout machines.
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Meanwhile, online betting continues to thrive thanks to the convenience of wagering from home or on mobile, 24/7. The shift isn’t just technological, it’s cultural. Younger gamblers are choosing quick bets on sports and esports over traditional casino experiences.
While regulators face the challenge of keeping gambling safe and transparent in this new era, the data underscores one truth: South Africans are betting more and doing it online.
Online betting has officially taken the lead in South Africa’s gambling industry. With casinos losing ground and mobile wagering soaring, the country’s gambling economy is undergoing a historic transformation — one driven by convenience, technology, and changing player habits.