The gambling industry in South Africa has shown a ton of growth trend over the past few years. More specifically, there has been a substantial rise in online betting being one of the key drivers for this growth trend. According to the latest reports, the gambling industry in the country has registered a massive amount of turnover and revenue. Apparently, there is a gross gambling revenue of approximately ZAR75 billion, or 4.3 billion US dollars, in 2024-2025. This is a huge rise when compared to the previous years due to the rise in online betting and mobile usage.
One of the key drivers of this growth trend is sports betting, which contributes approximately 70 percent of the total gross gambling revenue, while casinos contribute approximately 22 percent of the total gross gambling revenue. Online and mobile betting platforms are the key drivers of this growth trend, which provide access to gambling services to all the major provinces in the country.
Conversely, the gambling sector in Zimbabwe, which is relatively smaller, has been steadily growing. Market research shows that the iGaming and betting sector in Zimbabwe has been growing with the use of the internet and smartphones by consumers having improved, thus allowing consumers to venture into online gaming for sports betting and other online gambling activities. Estimates show that the gaming sector in Zimbabwe has been growing, with the sector making over $50 million annually as of 2023, with mobile gambling contributing a substantial amount to the figure.
Despite this expansion, recent changes in Zimbabwe’s regulations may also impact the rate at which its gambling market continues to grow. As of January 1 2026, a substantially higher tax system is now applicable for gambling activities carried out in the country. This includes a 20% gross takings tax on sportsbooks, online casinos, and lotteries, as well as a 25% withholding tax on winnings for punters.
For Zimbabwe’s betting industry to keep up with South Africa’s rapid increase in betting activity, a number of aspects will have to come into play. First off, regulatory balance is vital. As much as taxes are important for generating funds for various services in a country, excessive taxation could lead to an increase in betting activity as operators seek alternatives in international platforms, especially in this digital age where accessing international betting sites is not a hard task.
Secondly, digital infrastructure and mobile access will continue being important drivers for the sector. Just as in South Africa, mobile betting is the main contributor to the growth in the sector, and the Zimbabwean market will thrive as long as it allows its customers to bet or play casino games on their mobile devices and tablets without hitches. This will continue as the infrastructure improves for the sector.
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Thirdly, the promotion of responsible gaming programmes will be crucial in ensuring that long-term engagement is achieved without any increase in potential harm. With an increase in the number of people in Zimbabwe who are getting engaged in gaming, betting, and casino activities, it will be important to promote responsible gaming in order to create trust among consumers.
One of the biggest and most recognisable examples of a platform is Casino Kings, a South Africa online casino. It is undeniably symbolic when it comes to this trend. This particular online casino serves as a symbol of the potential of online casino games to transcend borders on a global level.
Ultimately, Zimbabwe’s gambling sector has real potential to grow alongside South Africa’s booming market. However, its future pace will depend on how policymakers balance taxation, regulation, and industry support to foster sustainable expansion in a highly digital and interconnected environment.