South Africa Proposes 20% Online Betting Tax on R75 Billion Gambling Market

1 articles · Updated · Yahoo Finance · Jul 28

A proposed 20% national tax on gross gambling revenue would hit South Africa’s fast-growing online betting sector at the revenue line, before operators deduct operating costs.
National Treasury says the measure is meant to raise state revenue and address problem gambling, with public comment on the proposal having closed in February 2026.
Sportsbooks typically run on 5%–10% margins, so the levy would add structural cost pressure across betting and online casino products offered on the same mobile-first platforms.
Punters are likely to feel the impact through slightly worse odds, fewer promotions and tighter bonus terms, especially in high-volume markets such as football and horse racing.
The proposal lands as South Africa’s gross gambling revenue has climbed from about R32 billion in 2019/20 to roughly R75 billion in 2024/25, making the tax a potential long-term market reshaper.