Rising Concern Over Youth Gambling Trends in South Africa

Youth Gambling on the Rise

A study conducted by online market research firm Infoquest highlights that individuals aged 18 to 34 are engaging in gambling activities an average of 11 times per month. The report also found that:

• 39% of young gamblers reinvest their winnings, perpetuating a cycle of gambling.
• 30% gamble with money they can’t afford to lose, indicating financial vulnerability and potential long-term consequences.

Lynette Kamineth from the National Gambling Board attributes the rise to the digital-savvy nature of younger generations.

“Online gambling is something that young people are more attracted to because most of them are digital natives, they have grown up with technology and the online space,” Kamineth explained.

Sports Betting Driving the Trend

Sports betting, in particular, has seen a significant increase in popularity among the youth demographic. Kamineth noted that the ease of access and familiarity with online platforms contribute to this growing trend.

“We have seen that our numbers on the sports betting side have definitely increased because of the affinity that young people have, and we are reasonably confident a lot of that increase would sit with our young people,” Kamineth added.

The Call for Personal Responsibility

While raising awareness about the risks of gambling, Kamineth emphasized the importance of individual accountability.

“People need to take personal responsibility for their habit. If it becomes out of balance in your life then you have a problem. We always say as long as you are gambling for entertainment and leisure that is a good thing. It is up to the individual to educate themselves about the dangers of gambling”, she said.