The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has warned that more people could experience severe financial and mental health consequences linked to gambling addiction due to South Africa’s booming sports betting industry, accelerated by the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
According to SARGF, sports betting now accounts for 70% of the country’s gambling market, with the month-long football tournament likely to trigger a spike in betting through mobile apps, live in-play wagering and aggressive marketing campaigns.
Spike in South Africans seeking treatment for gambling
The warning comes as the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) reports a sharp spike in the number of South Africans seeking treatment for…