People are throwing money for rent, fuel, and groceries down the drain in South Africa
Online gamblers are increasingly sacrificing essentials such as groceries, mobile data and even rent to afford their gambling habits.
In a 2026 study, over half of the surveyed online gamblers (57%) reported having sacrificed essential household items in the past six months to support their betting activities.
The South Africa Gambling Impact Study explores the prevalence and social effects of online gambling in the country.
Conducted through a conversational WhatsApp survey with over 1,000 participants, the research reveals that while betting is a common activity with generally modest spending, a significant minority of players experience financial and personal harm.
Yazi Market Researcher and Founder Timothy Treagus told Radio 702 that one alarming finding from the study was a parent admitting to losing all their money on betting. As a result, their children were unable to get winter clothes.
Treagus said the study demonstrates the tension between hope and despair, with many of the respondents aiming to double their money.
Alarmingly, Treagus revealed that 72% of candidates claimed they do not have a problem. However, as the study progressed, evidence indicated that many candidates did in fact have a problem.
He said that, beyond the ease and convenience of online betting, all the advertising for it has normalised the behaviour.
“There’s a lot of momentum in this behaviour that needs to actually be carefully calculated on how, as a marketing institution, we can try and reverse some of those behaviours and illuminate some of the problems that it’s causing,” Treagus said.
Key findings from the study indicated that many individuals sacrifice essential items, such as food and transportation, to fund their bets and often chase losses on the same day.
Despite these risks, most users believe they are in control and are largely unaware of the available harm-reduction tools.
72% of candidates claim not to have a gambling problem
To address these issues, the report recommends linking affordability to income share rather than to fixed stakes and improving the visibility of limit-setting features.
The study advocates for behavioural nudges that align with a player’s self-image to promote responsible gaming habits.
The research emphasises that the true financial harm of gambling in South Africa is determined not only by the size of the bets but also by whether the money spent was intended for essential living expenses.
According to the research by WhatsApp research platform Yazi, gamblers in South Africa prioritise their sacrifices when faced with financial pressures.
The first expense they tend to cut is airtime and data, with approximately 24% to 30% of respondents reporting reduced spending in this area.
Following this, 9% to 11% of respondents reported sacrificing their grocery budget. Debt repayments are often next on the list, with around 8% to 10% of respondents cutting back on these payments.
Transport costs, including taxis and fuel, are also affected, as roughly 7% to 8% of respondents reported sacrificing transportation-related expenses.
About 4% of respondents reported reducing spending on rent and housing. Finally, approximately 3% to 4% of respondents reported cutting back on financial support for their families.
This hierarchy clearly illustrates the significant financial impact that gambling can have on individuals’ daily lives and priorities.
This risky behaviour is often fuelled by the desire for an “easy win” to address cash-flow issues, causing gambling to shift from being a form of entertainment to a perceived solution for financial problems.
The reports reveal a common pattern in which bettors aim to double their initial funds, only to lose everything.
For instance, one respondent admitted, “I thought I would double the grocery money, but I was making the biggest mistake in my life”.
Another shared, “I used the money meant for rent and lost the whole of it. I thought I could double it.”
For many candidates in the study, which reflects the broader South African community, gambling has become an appealing and convenient option for quickly addressing financial needs.
However, many individuals find themselves in even greater financial difficulty as they struggle to sustain their gambling habits.
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