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THE READINESS REPORT

When betting is all you have left: Inside South Africa’s R1.5 trillion gambling industry

South Africa’s gambling industry just hit R1.5 trillion and it’s not just for fun anymore. Behind the flashing lights are stories of poverty, desperation, and survival. In today’s episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi talks to Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist at News24, about how gambling has quietly become one of the country’s biggest social and economic fault lines.
DM HEADER Wendy Knowler and Redi Tlhabi (Illustrative image: Daily Maverick/ Studios)
Redi Tlhabi
By Redi Tlhabi
22 Oct 2025
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Comments

andre west Nov 28, 2025, 06:25 AM

Sold my bookmakers license in 2006. Stood on Turffontein race track as BetterOdds. Most of the Lebanese punters don't have an education. From primary school to Turffontein they went. Glenvista properties are owned by many a Lebanese punter. Punting was all they had. Like a stock broker on the JSE. And they were good at it. Made fortunes. Many stables punt and make millions. Many grooms punt and make millions. Game of skill - investing. Game of luck is casino one arm bandit - gambling.