How COVID-19 Changed Gambling and Trading Habits in Gauteng

Jessica Matabola18 July , 2025

COVID-19 disrupted daily life in unprecedented ways, but in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic powerhouse, it reshaped how people engage with money. Residents embraced digital platforms to gamble and trade from home. As traditional casinos and workplaces closed, COVID-19 gambling and trading habits shifted rapidly, fuelling a digital surge that continues to evolve.

ALSO READ: How Trading Platforms Are Creating Job Opportunities in Gauteng

Traditional Gambling Declined, Digital Betting Boomed

Before the pandemic, Gauteng gamblers visited land-based casinos and racetracks. Once lockdowns began in 2020, these venues closed, forcing gamblers online. According to the National Gambling Board (NGB), total gambling revenue in South Africa reached R59 billion in 2024, with betting growing by 42% year-on-year, overtaking casinos.

This shift reshaped COVID-19 gambling and trading habits in Gauteng. Users quickly adopted mobile betting apps like Betway and Hollywoodbets. These platforms offered instant access, quick registration, and mobile-friendly interfaces, making them especially appealing during lockdowns.

Mobile Access Transformed Betting in Gauteng

Gauteng residents increasingly used smartphones and data bundles to place bets. Young adults aged 18–35 led this mobile migration. The Gauteng Gambling Board reported a surge in mobile sports betting during 2020 and 2021, with usage remaining high post-lockdown.

This shift reinforced how COVID-19 gambling and trading habits moved from physical venues to mobile platforms. However, this convenience brought new challenges. Users often accessed unregulated offshore sites, increasing the risk of fraud, addiction, and financial harm.

COVID-19 Sparked a Retail Trading Boom

As many faced job losses and financial uncertainty, Gauteng residents turned to trading. Platforms like EasyEquities, ForexTime, and Binance attracted thousands of new users eager to invest.

EasyEquities became South Africa’s second-largest retail shareholder platform during the pandemic. New traders from Gauteng signed up in large numbers, drawn by the promise of fast returns and easy market access.

The surge in trading activity mirrored the explosion in COVID-19 gambling and trading habits, especially as many new traders treated the markets like a game, often without understanding the risks.

Women and Youth Entered the Trading Space

During the pandemic, more women and young people entered the investing world. Satrix revealed that 45% of its female SatrixNOW users come from Gauteng, highlighting a significant demographic shift. Younger investors, especially Gen Z and Millennials, dominated retail signups, using mobile apps to learn and invest in real time.

These trends reveal how COVID-19 gambling and trading habits diversified. What was once a niche or male-dominated space became broader, younger, and more inclusive.

Trading Resembled Gambling for Some Users

While many Gauteng traders aimed to build wealth, others used high-risk methods similar to gambling. Day trading in forex, crypto, and meme stocks gained popularity. Unfortunately, many did so without proper education, relying on social media “experts” or signal groups.

A study from Frontiers in Psychiatry showed that day trading during the pandemic mirrored problem gambling. Users developed addictive behaviour, felt stress and anxiety, and suffered financial losses.

This psychological impact formed a core part of COVID-19 gambling and trading habits, especially for vulnerable users lacking support.

Platforms like TikTok, Telegram, and Facebook played a huge role in influencing financialbehaviourr during the pandemic. Many Gauteng residents followed influencers promoting trading tips or gambling predictions. While some shared valuable insights, others ran scams.

A global cybersecurity study recorded a 220% rise in financial scams during early COVID-19. Locally, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) warned consumers about unregulated brokers and fake investment schemes — many of which targeted Gauteng through social media ads.

This online explosion further defined COVID-19 gambling and trading habits, especially among young and inexperienced users.

Gauteng Faced Regulatory Challenges

Regulators struggled to keep pace with the digital boom. While online sports betting is legal in South Africa, online casinos remain illegal. Still, many users accessed them via offshore websites without protection or regulation.

The NGB acknowledged gaps in oversight, including the absence of a national self-exclusion register. As COVID-19 gambling and trading habits expanded online, regulatory bodies pushed for tighter controls and user education.

The Road Ahead for Gauteng

The pandemic permanently changed how Gauteng residents gamble and trade. COVID-19 didn’t just create newhabits;s it rewired the financialbehaviourr of an entire region. Going forward, stakeholders must:

Prioritisee Financial Literacy: Schools, communities, and fintech platforms should teach safe investing and gambling practices.
Close Regulatory Gaps: Government agencies need better tools to monitor online activity and protect consumers.
Expand Mental Health Support: Addiction and financial stress must be treated with urgency.

By acting now, South Africa can build a safer, more informed environment that acknowledges how COVID-19 gambling and trading habits reshaped Gauteng.