Contextualising the economic growth of South Africa would be incomplete without factoring legalised gambling as a contributor to the country’s GDP. Most importantly, a review of how gambling activities have spread across South Africa’s cities would provide a glimpse of its impact on individual lives. For an expert who understands how the country’s gambling enterprise has evolved, an agreement is that online gambling remains illegal in South Africa. 

Legal hurdles have impeded an activity that is fast spreading across the African continent. A great example is the National Gambling Act of 2004 that outlaws interactive gaming. However, it is still possible to sign up and play casino games online. This Thunderbolt casino 2020 review highlights steps to register and play your favourite casino games on the site.

The Overview of the South African Gambling Industry

Despite heavy restrictions that have nearly put South Africa’s gambling industry in limbo, national lotteries and licensed casinos thrive in most parts of the country. In every province, there is a gambling board that oversees such activities as sports betting, lotteries, and issuance of licenses to gambling entities. Of the nine South Africa’s provinces, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) issues gambling licenses to bookmakers. 

Moreover, in South Africa’s cities where gambling thrives, the national lottery games, slot machines, scratchcards, horse racing, and charity sweepstakes take the lion’s share. In 2016, South Africa’s gambling industry generated gross revenue of R13.52 Billion. The figure has increased even further, surpassing R30 billion in 2019. 

To further examine the country’s gambling enterprise, here is a breakdown of South Africa’s cities that gamble the most.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the largest South Africa’s city and hosts some of the country’s thriving land-based casinos. Casinos account for the largest percentage of gambling revenue in South Africa. With Stats showing that 1 out of 10 people in the country is a gambler, Johannesburg metropolis is undoubtedly one of the largest gambling destinations in South Africa. The city hosts four of the country’s biggest land-based casinos operating within the province of Gauteng. Note that Johannesburg’s punters can access online platforms such as Yebo casino, Punt casino, and Springbok casino.

Durban

Durban is another gambling South African city. The city hosts two of the most established land-based casinos in the country, namely Sibaya and Suncoast Casinos. In March 2020, a businessman from the province won a whopping R50 million after playing lotto. It highlighted Durban’s thriving gambling culture. Durban residents also have access to top online casinos such as Yebo, PlayLive, Punt, and ZAR casino that ply their trade in South Africa.

Cape Town

Cape Town is the largest gambling city in South Africa, accounting for at least 5 of the country’s best land-based licensed casinos. The casinos offer more than 2570 slot machine games and an estimated 82 table games. The largest land-based casinos in Cape Town are Entertainment World and GrandWest Casino. Note that Cape Town leads in the number of punters who have won South Africa’s lotto games. Thus far, the biggest SA lotto jackpot winner who walked away with R232 million on 19th February 2019 was a Cape Town resident.

Pretoria

Pretoria is a rich cultural, historical, and gambling destination. The city hosts two major land-based casinos, namely Time Square, Menlyn Maine, and Carousel casino. Gamblers visiting the two casinos have access to more than 2680 slot machines games and 70 table games. In the history of South Africa’s National Lottery winnings, a domestic worker who won R70 million in 2019, represents Pretoria. Many other residents have won the PowerBall, which further puts the SA city on an upward gambling trajectory.

Port Elizabeth

Like Durban, Port Elizabeth is a coastline city in South Africa that harbours professional and pastime gamblers. Residents of Port Elizabeth have access to both gambling sites and land-based casinos. In Durban, there are several popular casinos. A few examples are Bingo Royale casino, Boardwalk casino, and The Casino Saint.  In August 2019, a lotto player from Port Elizabeth collected R23 million in winnings, a further testament to the city’s growing gambling enterprise.

Conclusion

South Africa’s gambling enterprise keeps growing. With gross gambling revenue running into billions and set to rise even further in the coming years, it could be time to embrace the industry, albeit cautiously. Gambling and lotto games are a pastime activity that many South Africans rely on as a source of income.