South Africa’s booming online gambling industry is creating an unexpected challenge on university campuses, with some students admitting they have used their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances and internship earnings to fund betting habits that jeopardise their education and financial wellbeing.
- South Africa’s gambling industry reaches new heights
- Students describe how casual betting became a serious problem
- Winning can reinforce risky behaviour
- Financial aid intended for education at risk
- Experts say the problem starts before university
- Schools may need to act earlier
- Universities preparing coordinated response
- Political pressure grows for tighter gambling regulation
- Government launches awareness initiatives
- A growing challenge requiring more than awareness
As gambling becomes more accessible through smartphones and digital payment platforms, experts warn that young people—particularly financially vulnerable students—are increasingly at risk of developing harmful betting behaviours before they fully understand the long-term consequences.
The issue has sparked renewed debate about gambling regulation, advertising, financial literacy and the responsibilities of universities, government and betting companies.
South Africa’s gambling industry reaches new heights
According to the National Gambling Board’s 2024/25 Annual Report, South Africa’s gambling industry generated an estimated R1.5 trillion in turnover, up significantly from R1.1 trillion in the previous financial year.
The sharp growth reflects the rapid expansion of online betting platforms, mobile gambling applications and sports betting, which have made wagering easier than ever before.
While the industry continues to generate substantial tax revenue and economic activity, gambling experts warn that rising participation also increases the number of people vulnerable to addiction and financial hardship.
Students describe how casual betting became a serious problem
Several university students who requested anonymity described how online betting gradually shifted from occasional entertainment into a financial burden.
One third-year student explained that his interest in football convinced him he could consistently predict match outcomes.
What began with small bets of around R10 eventually escalated into gambling money intended for groceries and daily necessities.
At one point, he admitted spending nearly R600 before purchasing food for the month.
The student said recognising that betting outcomes were driven largely by chance rather than sporting knowledge ultimately prompted him to stop gambling with his NSFAS allowance.
He says he has remained free from gambling throughout 2026.
Winning can reinforce risky behaviour
Another student, now completing an internship, recently closed his online betting account after several years of gambling.
Beginning at the age of 18, he described the emotional cycle that often keeps gamblers engaged.
Early wins created confidence, while later losses encouraged repeated attempts to recover money already lost.
Even after successfully withdrawing winnings, he found himself depositing a substantial portion back into the betting platform.
His experience reflects a common behavioural pattern identified by gambling researchers, where intermittent rewards reinforce continued gambling despite mounting financial losses.
Financial aid intended for education at risk
NSFAS allowances are designed to cover essential student expenses such as:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Learning materials
- Transport
- Personal necessities
When portions of these allowances are diverted towards gambling, students may struggle to meet their basic needs, increasing financial stress and potentially affecting academic performance.
Internship stipends, often representing a student’s first stable income, can also become vulnerable to excessive betting before healthy financial habits are established.
Experts say the problem starts before university
Researchers argue that universities are encountering a problem that begins much earlier in young people’s lives.
Dr. Thelma Oppelt from the University of the Western Cape says gambling should increasingly be viewed as a public health concern rather than simply a matter of poor personal decision-making.
According to Oppelt, many students arrive at university having already been exposed to gambling through family members, advertising, sports sponsorships and social media influencers.
Combined with high youth unemployment, financial insecurity and limited economic opportunities, betting may appear to offer a shortcut to financial improvement.
She warns that by the time students enter higher education, harmful gambling behaviours may already be deeply established.
Research further indicates that many people wait approximately four years after recognising a gambling problem before seeking professional assistance.
Schools may need to act earlier
Oppelt believes prevention should begin long before university.
She argues that gambling awareness programmes should be introduced during senior primary school, before learners gain unrestricted access to smartphones, online payment systems and betting applications.
Early education could help young people understand:
- How betting odds actually work.
- The financial risks of gambling.
- The psychology behind gambling addiction.
- Healthy money management skills.
- Where to seek help if gambling becomes problematic.
Universities preparing coordinated response
Higher education institutions are beginning to coordinate their response.
The South African Association of Senior Student Affairs Professionals (SAASSAP), together with Higher Health, recently hosted a symposium examining the growing impact of gambling on student wellbeing.
SAASSAP President and University of the Witwatersrand Dean of Students Jerome September says South Africa lacks comprehensive research measuring gambling prevalence among university students.
International studies estimate that around 10% of university students exhibit problematic gambling behaviour.
South Africa’s broader gambling participation rates are considerably higher than many international averages, highlighting the need for local research focused specifically on higher education.
A dedicated community of practice is now being established to support universities in addressing gambling-related financial vulnerability and student wellbeing.
Political pressure grows for tighter gambling regulation
The rapid growth of online gambling has also attracted political attention.
Rise Mzansi has called for stricter regulation of gambling advertising, particularly influencer marketing targeting younger audiences.
The Democratic Alliance has similarly expressed support for stronger restrictions on online gambling promotion.
The party has proposed legislative reforms through a Remote Gambling Bill that would regulate online gambling more comprehensively while assigning licensing responsibilities to provincial authorities.
DA spokesperson Toby Chance has argued that unrestricted advertising has contributed significantly to the rapid growth of online betting and its associated social harms.
He believes greater cooperation between banks, payment providers and regulators could make access to gambling platforms less immediate for vulnerable users, including students and school learners.
Government launches awareness initiatives
The National Gambling Board and NSFAS have begun working together to address student gambling through awareness campaigns on higher education campuses.
Pilot initiatives have already been conducted at selected institutions, including campuses in North West and the Northern Cape.
A broader national rollout is expected to continue during 2026.
Officials say it is still too early to measure the effectiveness of these interventions.
The National Gambling Board plans to conduct a national prevalence study before the end of the 2026/27 financial year, while NSFAS intends tracking student participation and behavioural trends once campus programmes are fully implemented.
The Department of Higher Education and Training has also indicated that collaboration with regulators and higher education institutions will continue to strengthen support for vulnerable students.
A growing challenge requiring more than awareness
The rapid expansion of South Africa’s online gambling industry illustrates both the opportunities and risks created by digital financial services.
For many students facing economic hardship, betting can appear to offer a quick solution to financial pressure.
However, experts caution that the promise of easy money often masks a cycle of repeated losses, growing debt and emotional distress that can undermine academic success and future financial stability.
As policymakers weigh tighter regulation, universities expand support services and researchers seek more reliable data, the challenge will be balancing consumer freedom with stronger safeguards for young people whose educational opportunities depend on making every rand count.
