South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) has urged consumers to protect household income and avoid treating gambling as a solution to financial hardship after unemployment increased in the second quarter of 2026.

The official unemployment rate rose from 32.7% in Q1 to 33.6% in Q2. About 8.5 million people were unemployed, up by 345,000 from the previous quarter, while the number of employed people slipped by 16,000 to approximately 16.7 million.

Young South Africans remain particularly affected by economic exclusion. Among people aged 15 to 24, 36.4% were neither employed nor participating in education or training.

The NGB said these conditions could make the possibility of a quick return through betting more appealing to people under financial pressure. It stressed that legal gambling remains a regulated form of entertainment and should not serve as a replacement for income.

“The latest figures highlight the difficult circumstances facing many South African households and, during times such as these, every rand matters,” said NGB Acting Chief Executive Officer Lungile Dukwana.

“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.”

Younger Adults Show High Gambling Participation

The regulator also pointed to findings from its 2023/24 Socio-Economic Impact of Gambling in South Africa study.

Gambling participation was highest among people aged 25 to 34, with 77% of respondents in that age group reporting that they gambled. The same demographic accounted for 55% of the problem gamblers identified in the study.

The research also indicated a connection between gambling and household financial pressure. Some 54% of gamblers said they used winnings to buy basic household necessities, while 43% used winnings to cover debts or bills. Some participants also reported gambling in an attempt to compensate for lost income.

The NGB warned that gambling always carries the possibility of financial loss and that chasing previous losses can worsen existing financial difficulties.

It also cautioned younger people against viewing sports betting or other gambling activities as an alternative route to earning money.

“We recognise the heavy burdens facing young people across the country. Our message is not one of judgement, but of protection,” says Dukwana in a statement (pdf). “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.”

NGB Urges Players to Check Operator Licences

The regulator advised people who choose to gamble to use only operators that hold valid licences in South Africa.

Consumers can check an operator’s status through the NGB’s Verified Gambling Operators Web Portal. The service allows users to confirm whether a gambling business is licensed before participating and brings information covering land-based and certain online licences into one location.

The NGB regulates gambling alongside provincial authorities and oversees areas including casinos, bingo, betting and wagering, and Limited Payout Machines. Public education and consumer protection also form part of its responsibilities under the National Gambling Act.

People experiencing gambling-related difficulties can access free and confidential assistance through the National Responsible Gambling Programme.

The programme operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its toll-free helpline is 0800 006 008, while WhatsApp and SMS assistance is available on 076 675 0710. Support can also be requested by email at helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za.