Economic challenges push young South Africans towards gambling
Rising unemployment drives young South Africans to gambling, with 55% of problem gamblers aged 25-34 using winnings for basic needs.Summary
The National Gambling Board (NGB) has warned South Africans to gamble responsibly amid rising economic pressures, citing a study showing that 55% of identified problem gamblers are aged 25-34. This follows Statistics South Africa's Q2 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey, which reported an unemployment rate of 33.6%, with 8.5 million unemployed and a youth (15-24) NEET rate of 36.4%.
The NGB's 2023-2024 Socio-Economic Impact of Gambling study found 77% of 25-34 year-olds participate in gambling, with over half using winnings for household necessities (54%) and debt payments (43%). Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana emphasized that gambling should never be seen as income replacement, urging people to prioritize essential expenses and only gamble with disposable income through licensed operators.
(Source：Sunday Tribune)