Racing and Betting

Racing and betting is an integral part of gambling activities in South Africa. The NGB plays a pivotal role in ensuring that operational systems are aligned for provincial licensing authorities in an effort to ensure punter protection and integrity of the sport. This entails coordination and facilitation of development of norms and standards, operational rules of betting industry and review of betting or wagering standards utilized by licensees.

Gold Circle is the totalisator operator in KwaZulu-Natal. 4Racing took over the business operations of Phumelela  in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and the Free State. Trotco (Pty) Ltd t/a Ithotho is also licensed in KwaZulu-Natal as a totalisator and a race course operator. 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 number of licenced operational bookmakers increased from 326 to 349 over the past financial year, representing an increase of 7.1%. Operational bookmaker outlets increased by 11.9% from 531 to 594. Operational totalisator outlets increased from 299 to 366. As at 31 March 2024, Gauteng accounted for the highest number of licensed operational bookmakers (174) and totalisator outlets (124).

The total value of GGR in the betting on horse racing and sport sector during FY2023/24 was R36.5 billion. This amount represents 61% of GGR across all gambling modes. This is a 53.7% increase from the same period last year. As at 31 March 2024, the Western Cape (43.1%) accounted for the highest GGR generated in FY2023/24 followed by Mpumalanga (32.9%) and Gauteng (10.5%). The total value of taxes/levies in the betting on horse racing and sport sector during FY2023/24 was R2.5 billion. This amount represents 50% of taxes/levies across all gambling modes. This is a 47.1% increase from the same period last year. The Western Cape accounted for the highest amount of taxes collected in the betting industry (40.6%), followed by Mpumalanga (32.5%) and Gauteng (10.5%).