Every rand matters: NGB warns gamblers as unemployment rises
South Africa’s National Gambling Board has warned consumers not to rely on gambling to pay household bills or supplement their income as rising unemployment places further pressure on household finances.
The warning follows the release of Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2026, which showed the country’s official unemployment rate rising from 32.7% to 33.6%.
Against that backdrop, the NGB said gambling should only be treated as a form of entertainment and never as a source of income or a solution to financial hardship.
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“The latest figures highlight the difficult circumstances facing many South African households and, during times such as these, every rand matters,” NGB Acting Chief Executive Officer Lungile Dukwana said.
“Food, accommodation, transport, education and debt repayments must come before gambling. If you choose to participate, only use money that remains after your essential commitments have been met and only gamble what you can afford to lose. Protect the money you have to sustain your family.”
The regulator highlighted figures from its 2023/24 Socio-Economic Impact of Gambling in South Africa study showing a significant link between gambling winnings and everyday household expenses.
According to the research, 54% of gamblers said they use gambling winnings to purchase basic household necessities, while 43% said winnings are used to pay debts or bills.
The study also found some participants gamble in an attempt to compensate for lost income, a trend the NGB said was a cause for concern.
Young South Africans are a particular focus of the regulator’s warning. Gambling participation was highest among people aged 25 to 34, with 77% of respondents in that age group reporting that they gamble. The same age group accounted for 55% of identified problem gamblers.
“We recognise the heavy burdens facing young people across the country. Our message is not one of judgement, but of protection,” Dukwana said.
“Gambling is an uncertain activity and there is no guarantee of winning. It should never replace the pursuit of sustainable employment, education or other legitimate opportunities for economic participation.”
South Africa’s unemployment figures add to those concerns. Approximately 8.5 million people were unemployed during the second quarter, an increase of 345,000 from Q1, while employment declined by 16,000 to approximately 16.7 million.
The NGB said severe financial pressure can make the prospect of quick gambling returns more attractive but warned that losses, particularly when players attempt to chase them, can deepen existing financial difficulties.
The regulator also reminded South Africans who choose to gamble to use operators legally licensed in the country and to verify their licensing status through the NGB’s Verified Gambling Operators portal.
