Alarming Increase in Online Gambling Among South Africa’s Young Population

The increasing availability of smartphones and laptops has contributed significantly to the growing popularity of online gambling among young people in Africa. A recent survey conducted by InfoQuest, a research organisation specialising in addiction research, highlighted online gaming and sports betting as the most popular gambling games among South African youth, followed by the national lottery.

Claire Heckrath, managing director of InfoQuest, highlighted that younger gamblers engage in more types of gambling than their older counterparts, averaging 11 gambling sessions per month.

What Encourages Young People to Gamble?

Heckrath noted that the primary motivation for young people to gamble is the potential to win much-needed funds, although there is also a significant recreational aspect. “The accessibility of online gambling platforms means that gambling is now an activity that can be conducted at home and anywhere,” she said.

The study revealed that 39% of young gamblers reinvest their winnings into further gambling, while 30% use excess funds. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing effective policies and support systems to safeguard the well-being of young South Africans.

Young Internet Users at High Risk of Gambling Addiction

Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, executive director of the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF), highlighted that online gambling often targets Generation Z and Millennial markets, who are highly dependent on the internet and smartphones.

“This generation is mostly Internet-dependent and high users of smartphones. Research has shown that this market is saturated by ‘Youth’ punters who are also vulnerable consumers and most likely to be susceptible to the negative harmful effects of gambling,” she explained.

Alarming Addiction Statistics

In the 2023/2024 financial year, SARGF referred 2,662 patients for gambling addiction, with 787 of these referrals being youth. The rise of online betting as the preferred mode of gambling has inevitably led to an increase in addiction cases.

Professor David Spurrett from the University of KwaZulu-Natal pointed out that technological advancements have made it easier to access gambling sites, exacerbating addiction issues. “Our phones are with us everywhere. Research has strongly suggested that this makes addiction more likely. Online gambling is a 24/7 casino in your pocket, so you can’t walk out of the door,” said Spurrett.

Personal Accounts Highlight the Issue

The personal experiences of young gamblers further illustrate the addictive nature of online gambling. Neliswa Binda, a 22-year-old student, shared how she found herself using her study fee money to gamble online. “Online gambling is a double-edged sword. It can be used as a form of entertainment and social interaction, but because it’s so easy to use it’s easy to get addicted,” she said.

Social commentator Malaika Mahlatsi recounted an incident where a teenager spent over R100,000 of her mother’s savings on an online gambling site, underscoring the severity of gambling addiction as an illness that requires help.