South Africa’s DTIC urges stronger protection measures as gambling sector posts R59.3 billion GGR

During the Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 on 13-14 November in Kempton Park, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) called for urgent reforms in the gambling industry and emphasized that despite the sector’s gross gambling revenue of R59.3 billion (~US$3.4 billion) in the 2023/24 year, problem gambling remains a critical national concern.

Speaking at the summit, Klaas Mokaba, Director of Advocacy & Policy Coordination at DTIC, highlighted that while legal gambling contributes significantly to the economy and job creation, the risks to vulnerable individuals are escalating. He noted that “we cannot allow economic benefit to overshadow the wellbeing of our citizens.” The 2023/24 figures show total gambling turnover at R1.1 trillion and GGR at R59.3 billion.

Mokaba's address struck a cautionary tone: he warned that the surge in online betting, heavy marketing and insufficient controls place young people, social-grant recipients and lower-income households at increasing risk of gambling harm. He urged an integrated national responsible gambling framework, mandatory operator contributions to treatment programmes and stricter marketing restrictions.

For gambling operators, affiliates and regulatory participants, this means that while the industry remains lucrative, the regulatory and social protection pressures are building. Expect greater scrutiny of operator compliance, rising expectation for harm-mitigation funding and enhanced regulatory tools to capture the rapid growth in digital betting.