Bingo

As stated in the National Gambling Act, 7 of 2004, ‘‘bingo’’ means a game, including a game played in whole or in part by electronic means:

1. that is played for consideration, using cards or other devices:
   1. that are divided into spaces each of which bears a different number, picture or symbol; and
   2. with numbers, pictures or symbols arranged randomly such that each card or similar device contains a unique set numbers, pictures or symbols
2. in which an operator or announcer calls or displays a series of numbers, pictures or symbols in random order and the players match each such number, picture or symbol on the card or device as it is called or displayed; and
3. in which the player who is first to match all the spaces on the card or device, or who matches a specified set of numbers, pictures or symbols on the card or device, wins a prize, or any other substantially similar game declared to be bingo in terms of section6(4).

Of the nine provinces in South Africa, bingo has been rolled out in six provinces namely Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in FY2023/24.  A total number of 70 (out of 79 licensed) bingo halls were operational as at 31 March 2024 of which 12 were operational in Gauteng, 15 in Eastern Cape, 22 in KwaZulu-Natal, 7 in North West, 7 in Mpumalanga and 7 in Limpopo.

Traditional bingo has been phased out of the South African gambling industry, replaced entirely by electronic bingo terminals (EBTs). Overall, the country had 12 463 EBTs at the end of FY2023/24.  Gauteng accounted for the highest number of licensed operational bingo positions or seats totalling 5369 (43%) out of a national figure of 12463 licensed operational positions in FY2023/24 as at 31 March 2024, compared to Eastern Cape (24%), KwaZulu-Natal (17%), Mpumalanga (8%), North West (7%) and Limpopo (7%). The number of bingo positions increased in the Eastern Cape and KZN, declined in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo; and remained unchanged in the North West.

The total value of GGR generated in the bingo sector during FY2023/24 was R1.9 billion, a 2.4% increase from the previous year. This amount represents 3% of GGR across all gambling modes. Gauteng (30.5%) had the highest amount of GGR generated in FY2023/24, followed by the Eastern Cape (23.3) and KwaZulu-Natal (19.4%). The total value of taxes/levies from the bingo sector during FY2023/24 was R161.8 million, a 1.7% increase from the previous year.This amount represents 3.0% of taxes/levies across all gambling modes.