South Africans are being urged to think twice before using credit cards, personal loans or borrowed money to place bets, as online gambling continues to grow and concerns increase over its impact on household finances.
The Credit Association of South Africa (CASA) has warned consumers against using borrowed money or funds intended for everyday necessities to gamble, highlighting the financial risks associated with online betting.
The warning comes as new research from the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) shows that online gambling in South Africa grew by 390% between 2021 and 2025. The growth has been linked partly to increased access through mobile phones and widespread gambling advertising, making it easier for people to place bets whenever and wherever they are.
For many households, the attraction of online betting is the possibility of making extra money, particularly when salaries are stretched, and monthly expenses continue to rise. However, CASA says relying on gambling to cover bills or repay existing debt can leave consumers in an even more difficult financial position.
Leonie van Pletzen, CEO of CASA, has cautioned consumers against using money set aside for essential expenses such as rent, groceries, transport and electricity to gamble. She has also advised against using credit cards, personal loans or money borrowed from friends and family to fund betting activities.
One of the biggest risks is the temptation to chase losses. This happens when someone loses a bet and places another, often larger, wager in the hope of recovering the money. When borrowed funds are involved, the losses can quickly turn into debt that becomes difficult to repay, particularly when interest and other credit costs are added.
Using credit to gamble can also affect a person’s credit record, although gambling itself does not directly lower a credit score. The problem arises when gambling losses leave consumers unable to meet their monthly repayments. Missed payments and defaults can be reported to credit bureaus, potentially affecting future access to credit.
According to CASA, applying for additional credit cards or personal loans to cover gambling losses can also result in hard enquiries on a consumer’s credit report, which may temporarily affect their credit score.
The growing popularity of online betting is reflected in South Africa’s gambling figures. According to the National Gambling Board data discussed in the South African Reserve Bank’s March 2026 Quarterly Bulletin, approximately R1.5 trillion was wagered across the gambling industry in the 2024/25 financial year.
However, this figure needs some context. It represents total gambling turnover, meaning it includes money that is wagered more than once when winnings are placed back into bets. It does not mean South Africans lost R1.5 trillion. The actual gross gambling revenue, calculated after winnings are paid out, amounted to R74.5 billion.
Online betting has also become a significant part of the industry, accounting for approximately 85.5% of total betting revenue in the 2024/25 financial year.
The convenience of betting through a mobile phone means that gambling can become part of everyday spending without consumers always noticing how much they are putting in. Small deposits may seem manageable at first, but repeated bets can add up and take money away from household priorities.
There are also wider consequences for families. When money intended for food, school expenses, transport or electricity is used for gambling, other household members can feel the impact. The financial pressure may extend beyond the person placing the bets, particularly when debt begins accumulating.
CASA is encouraging consumers to prioritise their household budgets, reduce unnecessary spending and avoid using credit to fund gambling. Rather than viewing online betting as an alternative source of income, consumers are being reminded that gambling carries financial risks and that there is no guarantee of recovering money lost.
For South Africans managing monthly expenses, the message is straightforward: money needed for everyday living should not be put at risk in the hope of winning more. Borrowing money to gamble can turn a financial setback into a much bigger debt problem.
