Gambling Becomes a Financial Coping Tool
South African workers are leaning on sports betting and online gambling to manage their household budgets. Old Mutual revealed this trend in its Savings and Investment Monitor 2026. More than half of employed adults now gamble to cover expenses. Many also use it to repay debt.
The report studied adults aged 18 to 65. All earned at least R8,000 (US$484) a month. Researchers found that 53% of these workers gamble regularly. In addition, 42% admit they gamble often. They hope it will help them meet living costs. Some also use it to reduce their debt load.
Lower-Income Earners Feel the Pressure Most
The reliance on betting hits lower-income earners the hardest. Old Mutual found that 52% of workers earning between R8,000 and R15,000 monthly use gambling to boost their cash flow. Meanwhile, younger adults show even higher participation rates. Nearly six in 10 adults aged 18 to 29 gamble regularly. By comparison, only 40% of adults aged 50 and older do the same.
Financial Distress Is Rising, Not Falling
However, this strategy appears to backfire for many households. Old Mutual’s data shows the approach increases financial distress rather than easing it. In 2026, 22% of respondents reported financial difficulty linked to gambling. This marks a sharp rise from just 12% the previous year.
The pressure is even greater for workers earning below R30,000 a month. Among this group, 26% reported financial strain from gambling. That figure is almost double last year’s level.
Sports Betting Leads the Pack
Sports betting remains the most popular gambling activity in South Africa. In fact, 63% of gamblers place wagers on sporting events. Casino slot games came in second at 46%. The lottery followed closely at 42%. Meanwhile, casino table games attracted 26% of gamblers. Horse racing rounded out the list at 11%.
Additionally, gambling is becoming a daily habit for some. Around 9% of participants gamble every day or almost every day. This pattern raises fresh concerns about compulsive betting behavior.
AI Tools Are Reshaping Investment Habits Too
Beyond gambling, workers are also exploring other ways to grow their money. According to the report, 48% now use artificial intelligence platforms for investment advice. That number actually beats the 40% who consult traditional financial advisers.
Still, Old Mutual issued a clear warning. The company cautioned that speculative investing carries risks similar to gambling. Both can be dangerous substitutes for sound financial planning.
A Nation Increasingly Dependent on Gambling
The National Gambling Board reported that South Africa’s total gambling turnover topped R1.5 trillion (€78.65bn) in 2025. This staggering figure highlights just how deeply gambling has embedded itself in everyday life. As a result, Old Mutual says the findings point to a growing dependence on gambling. Rising living costs continue to push more households toward betting as a financial lifeline.
For those seeking safer alternatives, licensed platforms offering a legal online gambling no deposit bonus provide a more responsible entry point than unregulated betting. As esports news and esports live stream platforms continue growing their audiences, experts also point to rising interest in esports sponsorship deals and esports team marketing as safer commercial alternatives to personal gambling reliance.
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