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Racing and Betting

Gold Circle is the totalisator operator in KwaZulu-Natal, and Phumelela in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and the Free State. Kenilworth Racing (totalisator) is operating in Western Cape, however, Phumelela currently manages the Western Cape racing operations on behalf of the Kenilworth Racing Trust. In essence, Phumelela has expanded its operations to include the Western Cape and has presence in eight provinces with the exception of KwaZulu-Natal. Trotco (Pty) Ltd t/a Ithotho is also licensed in KwaZulu-Natal as a totalisator and a race course operator. Telebet call centres are located in Gauteng and Eastern Cape. PowerBet Gaming is a totalisator operating in Mpumalanga. Licensed bookmakers are located in all the provinces throughout the Republic. Bets can be placed on horse racing and sport (on and off course), as well as on any other legal contingency.

The betting on horse racing and sport sector has over the last two decades, maintained a strong upward trend in GGR with an average growth of close to 20%. This is mainly as a result of major increases in the generation of GGR by bookmakers offering betting on sport. The total GGR generated in the betting on horse racing and sport sector during FY2020/21 was R10.6 billion, a 21.1% increase from FY2019/20 (R8.8 billion). This amount represents 45.4%, being the largest share of total GGR. The betting industry was the only industry to generate positive growth (21.2%) in revenue in FY2020/21 following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, as this gambling mode was the only one accessible through online means and telephonically than other modes that are predominantly land-based and had to be shutdown to mitigate the spread of the corona virus.