South Africa is facing a significant gambling crisis. This assertion comes from a recent study conducted by Old Mutual, a prominent financial services company, revealing that over half of South African employees partake in gambling and sports betting, often in an attempt to settle debts and manage everyday living costs.
According to the 2026 Savings and Investments Monitor by Old Mutual, a survey was conducted among individuals aged 18 to 65 with a monthly income of R8,000 (approximately US$484) or more. This annual report gauges the financial status of South Africans, exploring their monetary beliefs, opinions, and financial behaviors.
Currently, the data reveals a troubling trend where numerous low- and middle-income households resort to gambling with the hope of enhancing their financial situation. Approximately 42% of respondents admitted to “frequently gambling” in order to manage “expenses or debt.”
“It is concerning that 42% of working South Africans acknowledge their frequent gambling, aiming to earn money to cover essential costs and debts,” the Savings and Investments Monitor highlighted.
The survey from Old Mutual indicated that gambling as a method for managing expenses is particularly prevalent among those earning lower incomes, categorized as those with monthly salaries between R8,000 and R15,000.
The findings suggest that 52% of individuals in the R8,000-R15,000 income bracket gamble in hopes of alleviating financial burdens. The trend is even more pronounced among younger demographics, with 58% of 18- to 29-year-olds placing bets to pay their bills.
Gambling Among Low-Income Groups
For many individuals, the consequences of gambling have led to greater financial challenges rather than benefits. Old Mutual reports that 22% of participants struggle to meet their monthly expenses due to gambling, a figure that has nearly doubled from 12% in 2025.
When asked whether they had experienced financial troubles because of gambling, 41% responded affirmatively, while 16% indicated that this occurs “often.”
The overall gambling participation rate in the country showed little change, rising by just 1% to 53%. For those earning between R15,000 and R29,999, 58% engage in gambling, whereas only 48% of individuals earning above R60,000 participate in betting.
Sports betting remains the leading gambling activity, with 63% of gamblers placing bets on sports. Casino slots follow with 46%, and the lottery ranks third at 42%. Casino table games attract 26% of gamblers, while horse betting involves 11%.
Approximately 10% of gamblers report engaging in betting on a daily basis, with 32% wagering two to three times weekly. Additionally, 23% play once a week, and 24% participate once or twice monthly.
Gambling Landscape in South Africa
South Africa hosts a diverse gambling sector, including brick-and-mortar casinos, online gaming, parimutuel horse racing, bingo, a national lottery, and sports betting.
The country embraced gambling in the early 1990s as a strategy to generate vital government revenue for infrastructure development and social programs.