South Africans are no strangers to betting, by no means at all. It’s often cited in popular media outlets that one in ten South Africans engage in one of gambling’s many forms, with sports betting being a frontrunner amongst these. 

But a new question has begun circulating the iGaming fraternity. The question is whether or not South Africans are starting to witness the beginning of the end when it comes to brick and mortar betting establishments. 

This emerging question forms part of a common theme that has arisen since the rise of Covid-19. More and more people are taking to online versions of activities that they used to enjoy when the pandemic hadn’t come to define our realities. 

Work is said to be changed forever, with more and more people required to work remotely. Things like exercise, movie-watching, cooking and of course betting, have also recently become dominated by online “remote” options, and while born out of necessity, many have felt that this new way is better. 

In a time when businesses have folded, people have been left jobless, and social contact is at an all-time low, it is the iGaming industry that has begun to thrive. While a small ban on sporting events initially hurt the sports betting scene, sports quickly started back up again, and punters, new and seasoned, started to place all kinds of bets in an effort to boost what little disposable income they had. 

But this was not being done at betting shops, as their doors remained shut just like with the vast majority of other retail outlets. This betting boom, seen across the world was being done over the internet, via laptops, smartphones and tablets, introducing many brick and mortar punters to the new age of betting – online. 

This could have dire consequences to brick and mortar betting establishments, because while charming, they are beginning to serve little purpose, and are starting to become obsolete. South Africa is home to hundreds of local online betting sites that offer the same function that these brick and mortar establishments do – and more. 

On online betting sites, you are introduced to plenty of features, bonuses and promotions, that are simply not available at betting shops. For instance, when you join an online betting site, you will receive a welcome bonus, no questions asked. However, placing your first bet at a betting shop is met with no such reward. 

What’s more is that modern advancements in betting technology, that have given rise to features such as live betting, virtual sports, and other betting games are proving too much for betting shops to keep up with. You are simply not able to access these same features in brick and mortar betting establishments. 

What’s clear is that with the rollout of the pandemic, life as we know has changed rather dramatically, and certain things will be left behind. Betting shops unfortunately do not offer the same pull as they did before this newly digitised, online world. Much of what has made them so charming in the past has fallen away, meaning we really could be seeing the end of brick and mortar betting establishments.