New insights reveal that 40% of South African workers are gambling frequently, not for entertainment but as a means to cope with financial stress. This trend raises significant concerns for employers regarding employee productivity and well-being.
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About 40% of working South Africans now gamble frequently, and many are doing so to bridge monthly shortfalls, according to new insights from Old Mutual Corporate.
The finding underscores how financial stress is reshaping behaviour in the workforce, with gambling increasingly being used not for entertainment but as a coping mechanism to meet daily needs and pay off debt.
Statistics South Africa estimates that more than half, 55%, of what is classified as recreational spending nationally is directed towards gambling activities. The National Gambling Board’s 2023/24 annual report confirms the scale of the trend, recording gross gambling revenue of R59.3 billion, a 25.7% increase from the previous year.
“What we are seeing is a society under strain. Short-term relief is consistently winning over long-term security because many employees simply do not have the financial reserves they need to cope,” says Keri-Lee Edmond, head of business intelligence at Old Mutual Corporate. “This is no longer an individual challenge. It is a workforce-wide issue that employers need to factor into how they support their people.”
Edmond explains that gambling is evident across income bands and demographics, reflecting debt-driven pressure and rising living costs. “Our research shows that for many South Africans, this is no longer just about recreation or entertainment. Individuals are gambling to meet daily needs and expenses, pay off debt, or in an attempt to secure higher incomes. Statistically, we know this is not a sustainable way to improve financial outcomes.”
For employers, the implications are significant. Financially stressed employees often show reduced focus and lower productivity, signalling that household pressures are spilling into the workplace. Edmond stresses that this is not merely disengagement but financial strain affecting daily performance.
“Employees need support that helps them manage immediate financial pressure while also building long-term stability. Employers can make a meaningful difference by offering responsible benefit flexibility, alongside timely and targeted financial guidance that helps employees make confident decisions at key moments," she says.
She adds that while gambling is more pronounced among younger and lower-income employees, it is by no means confined to these groups. “Gambling activity is evident across income bands and demographics, reflecting debt-driven pressure and rising cost of living. Under these conditions, gambling is increasingly becoming part of how people manage their money day to day, with scarce income being directed towards high-risk avenues in an attempt to cover expenses and keep up with financial obligations.”
Edmond says flexibility must be responsible, balancing employees’ short-term realities with their long-term financial security.
“Responsible flexibility gives employees room to adjust their benefits as their circumstances change, but within guardrails that protect long-term security and prevent short-term pressures from undermining their future.
"We need to help employees automate their futures before they have to negotiate with their present. Without timely support, employees will continue turning to solutions that undermine their long-term well-being and affect organisational performance. The opportunity to intervene has never been clearer.”
PERSONAL FINANCE