South African players are increasingly funding online gambling with money originally set aside for food, according to a new study published on 27 January by analytics firm Trade Intelligence.
The research examines the impact of the iGaming sector on South Africa’s retail economy and is based on a survey of 700+ active players across multiple iGaming platforms.
Market snapshot: South African gambling
$94 billion in total gambling turnover in 2024–2025
+33% year-on-year growth, driven primarily by the online segment
Key findings from the player survey
Food and groceries are the main expense category from which gambling funds are drawn
Two out of three players say they gamble with the intention of making money, not entertainment
25% of respondents do not track how much they spend, win, or lose
📌 The report also notes that South Africa’s National Treasury is considering the introduction of a 20% tax on player winnings as part of broader efforts to curb problem gambling and limit its social impact.
