Sports betting surge fueled by the FIFA World Cup puts spotlight on gambling harm.

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) is concerned about the expected surge in gambling-related-harm as the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off.  

Sports betting currently accounts for 70% of the country’s gambling market, and the heightened interest in soccer during the tournament is predicted to drive significant betting activity.  

The SARGF’s National Responsible Gambling Programme already reports a concerning rise in gambling-related harm, with counselling and treatment services increasingly encountering cases involving acute financial distress, suicidal ideation and other mental health challenges. 

For the financial year ending March 2025, the National Gambling Board reported gambling turnover of R1.5 trillion, with Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR) of R75 billion in the same period. This reflects a 25.6% year-on-year increase. Gross Gambling Revenue is the total operators keep after winnings have been paid out. 

“If current trends of heightened sports betting and easy access to platforms continue, we project a significant rise in people seeking help. Our projections are based on correlated trends during sporting tournaments, where betting frequency spikes around match schedules and continuous betting opportunities across multiple fixtures” says Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director of the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation. 

Key risk factors identified 

• Increased exposure: growth of mobile betting platforms, in-play wagering, promotional inducements and new sign-up offers. 

• Advertising pressure: Heightened advertising and social media visibility that normalise betting.   

• Economic strain: Debt stress linked to recent interest rate increases by the South African Reserve Bank, pushing some consumers toward gambling as a perceived alternative income source. 

The National Responsible Gambling Programme data show a significant increase in treatment demand. 5,199 people were referred for gambling-related harm treatment in the financial year ending March 2026, compared to 4,166 in 2025. 

Suicidal ideation cases rose from 937 to 1,298 – a 38.5% increase. These were classified as mild 75% and severe 25%. Of those affected, 60.9% were youths aged 18 to 35 years. In terms of employment: 57.1% were in full-time employment, 23.9% unemployed, 9.2% part-time, 5.9% self-employed, 3.9% students, 0.3% pensioners. 

“Gross Gambling Revenue growth and sports betting dominance mean more South Africans are exposed to gambling than ever before. While treatment services remain essential, our focus is also on prevention, public education and early intervention to reduce harm before it occurs. The 2026 FIFA World Cup presents a timely reminder of why a population-level prevention approach to responsible gambling is so important,” explained Simelane-Quntana. 

The National Responsible Gambling Programme urges caution during the FIFA World Cup season and reminds the public that free, confidential help is available 24/7 on 0800 006 008, our WhatsApp line 076 675 0710 or our digital referral platform. https://responsiblegambling.org.za/digital-referral/. 

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Issued by Tishala Communications 

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