SOFTSWISS releases new 'iGaming in South Africa 2025' market guide

Software solutions provider SOFTSWISS has released a new regulated market overview, iGaming in South Africa 2025, serving as a comprehensive guide to South Africa's online gambling landscape. The report offers operators and stakeholders insights into the market’s size, regulatory framework, and emerging trends.

South Africa’s iGaming sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by digital adoption and evolving player behaviour, explains the supplier. While the broader gambling market in South Africa is projected to generate approximately €3.63 billion ($4.27 billion) in gross gambling revenue (GGR) by the end of 2025, betting already dominates, accounting for about 60.5% of the total earnings. 

Mobile wagering, in particular, now generates the lion’s share of online betting turnover — roughly 81% of bets are placed via smartphones and tablets — a trend fueled by South Africa’s high smartphone penetration and the convenience of on-the-go betting. Together, these factors point to a developed digital betting ecosystem driving the overall gambling industry’s expansion.

“With this SOFTSWISS market report, we highlight our commitment to the dynamic potential of South Africa’s iGaming market. Backed by our global expertise and local insight, SOFTSWISS is well-positioned to address the region’s unique needs and opportunities. These insights will help shape our strategy and ensure our solutions stay aligned with the evolving South African iGaming landscape,” said Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS.

The ‘iGaming in South Africa’ report also highlights the complex regulatory landscape that operators must navigate. Gambling in South Africa is governed by both the National Gambling Board and nine provincial licensing authorities, each with its own rules and requirements. This layered system means companies need careful compliance strategies to enter and operate across different provinces. 

Despite the regulatory fragmentation and challenges such as a 15% VAT on betting transactions, South Africa remains highly attractive to local and international investors, according to SOFTSWISS. The report notes that trends in player engagement are reshaping the market: operators are increasingly incorporating gamification and social play elements to appeal to younger, digital-savvy bettors. 

Popular casino-style games are introduced in fixed-odds betting formats to comply with current laws, which prohibit traditional online casinos nationally. These innovative adaptations — for example, number-based games and ‘crash’ games presented as sports wagers — allow players to enjoy casino-like content within the legal betting framework, reflecting what the provider dubs "a creative industry response to regulatory constraints."

This new market analysis follows SOFTSWISS’ recent expansion in South Africa. Earlier in June, the company made its first major public appearance in the country in the tech field as a partner of Africa Tech Week 2025 in Cape Town. At the event, SOFTSWISS showcased its technology solutions and shared insights on digital resilience and innovation in African markets.