71% of South Africans surveyed skip meals to place a bet

A recent survey has found that 71% of South Africans polled have skipped meals in order to place a bet. The Zaka Index 2.0 report, released by Blackbullion South Africa and the Sanlam Foundation, highlights the growing prevalence of gambling among young people as they struggle to make ends meet. The report surveyed respondents from all nine provinces, with 90% of participants aged between 18 and 34.

Among those who had gambled at least once in the previous three months, around a third spent R50 or more per session. The report refers to this behavior as being "impatient with poverty", as participants described the allure of placing small bets that could potentially turn into large payouts overnight. Leana de Beer, founder and CEO of WaFunda, said that the focus-group participants referred to this behavior as being "impatient with poverty", highlighting that young people see gambling as a possible route out of hardship.

The report also found that easy access to gambling options, such as online casino games, sports betting, and Aviator-style games, has contributed to this trend. Additionally, social media and WhatsApp groups play a significant role in promoting gambling and encouraging participation. The report's findings further highlight that young people are susceptible to scams and risky financial activities, with 82% receiving less than R6,000 a month and 71% reporting that their income barely covered or did not cover everyday needs.

With greater financial security and trusted guidance, many respondents expressed that they would save, invest, start a business, support family members, or further their studies, suggesting that the opportunity cost of repeated risky spending extends beyond immediate day-to-day needs.