{"id":19590,"date":"2025-07-31T14:02:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T12:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=19590"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:08:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:08:09","slug":"gambling-new-side-hustle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/gambling-new-side-hustle\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Gambling the New Side Hustle? What Gauteng Youth Are Saying"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-growing-trend-of-gambling-side-hustles-among-gauteng-youth\">The Growing Trend of Gambling Side Hustles Among Gauteng Youth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lately, gambling side hustles have become increasingly popular among Gauteng&#8217;s youth. Faced with economic pressures and the desire to earn extra money quickly, many young people are turning to gambling as an alternative source of income. With online gambling platforms becoming easily accessible, youth find it tempting to engage in these activities without much effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gambling sector in Gauteng has seen growth, even though online gambling platforms continue to challenge traditional forms of betting. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gpl.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGB-Annual-Report-2023_24-Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gauteng Gambling Board&#8217;s 2023\/24 Annual Report<\/a>, gambling activity is on the rise. Young people are especially drawn to online betting, which allows them to participate from the comfort of their homes <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/how-to-set-a-gambling-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Set a Gambling Budget and Stick to It<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1776465492\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-expert-opinions-on-the-gambling-side-hustle\">Expert Opinions on the Gambling Side Hustle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While many see gambling side hustles as an easy way to make money, experts warn of the dangers they bring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Makashule Gana, a National Assembly member for <a href=\"https:\/\/iol.co.za\/sundayindependent\/dispatch\/2025-07-09-the-gambling-mafias-shadowy-grip-over-south-africa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rise Mzansi<\/a>, considers the rise in youth gambling a national emergency. He stresses that the increase in gambling addiction among young people is a major concern for the country&#8217;s financial stability. \u201cThe rise in gambling addiction threatens the financial health of South Africa\u2019s youth,\u201d Gana said, urging swift action to tackle the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gauteng Gambling Board is addressing this growing concern through outreach and awareness programs aimed at educating youth about the risks of gambling. Their 2022\/23 study showed a noticeable increase in young people engaging in gambling, prompting the Board to ramp up its efforts to inform the public about responsible gambling practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-financial-risks-of-a-gambling-side-hustle\">The Financial Risks of a Gambling Side Hustle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As gambling becomes more popular as a side hustle, its financial risks are becoming clearer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Young people are increasingly replacing regular savings and traditional income sources with the hope of quick wins through gambling. However, many end up facing financial difficulties. Reports from Vantage Debt Management highlight that young people involved in gambling often find themselves in debt, with poor credit ratings and a lack of financial literacy. \u201cGambling is replacing saving for many young South Africans. This shift puts their financial futures at serious risk,\u201d says financial advisor David Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2085574343\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-promoting-responsible-gambling-among-youth\">Promoting Responsible Gambling Among Youth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Recognising the increasing risks, the Gauteng Gambling Board is focusing on promoting responsible gambling. Their initiatives include public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and partnerships with community organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By working with local communities, the Board aims to reduce the stigma surrounding gambling addiction and provide support to those in need. These programs help young people understand the dangers of gambling and encourage them to make informed financial decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CHECK OUT: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/signs-of-gambling-addiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Recognizing the Signs of Gambling Addiction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-protecting-gauteng-s-youth-from-gambling-addiction\">Protecting Gauteng\u2019s Youth from Gambling Addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While a gambling side hustle may appear to be an easy way to earn extra money, it carries significant risks. Financial instability, debt, and addiction can have long-term effects on young people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts agree that educating youth about the risks and providing them with the tools to manage their finances responsibly are key to addressing this issue. Through continued awareness campaigns and outreach programs, there is hope that the dangers of gambling can be mitigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/preventing-youth-gambling-addiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Preventing Youth Gambling Addiction: What Schools and Parents Can Do<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gambling side hustle trend is growing among Gauteng\u2019s youth, but it comes with serious risks. While gambling can offer quick rewards, it can also lead to financial struggles and addiction. By promoting responsible gambling and offering support to those affected, we can help ensure a healthier future for South Africa\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Growing Trend of Gambling Side Hustles Among Gauteng Youth Lately, gambling side hustles have become increasingly popular among Gauteng&#8217;s youth. Faced with economic pressures and the desire to earn extra money quickly, many young people are turning to gambling as an alternative source of income. With online gambling platforms becoming easily accessible, youth find<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":19616,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"The Growing Trend of Gambling Side Hustles Among Gauteng Youth Lately, gambling side hustles have become increasingly popular among Gauteng's youth. Faced with...","footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[680],"class_list":{"0":"post-19590","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gambling","8":"tag-responsible-gambling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19590"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19623,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19590\/revisions\/19623"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}