Online Betting and Poker Tops Fraud Hotlist in New South Africa Study
Fraud on the Rise: South Africa’s Online Gambling Platforms Targeted by Cybercriminals
As South Africa continues to dominate the continent’s online gambling space, a new report highlights concerning trends in digital crime, particularly within the igaming sector.
According to TransUnion’s 2025 State of Omnichannel Fraud Report, released in June 2025, online betting and poker platforms have become the leading targets for betting fraud and online casino scams in South Africa, surpassing even traditional sectors like insurance and retail.
Igaming Fraud Hits 6.3% – A Growing Threat
The report analyzed data from November to December 2024, uncovering that 6.3% of all digital transactions in the gaming sector were flagged as suspected fraud. While the overall fraud rate declined by 8.1%, the igaming sector saw a 20% year-on-year increase in fraudulent transaction volume—a sign that scammers are zeroing in on high-traffic, high-stakes platforms.
“With South Africa having the second highest number of smartphone connections in Sub-Saharan Africa, digital fraud has become an attractive tactic for cybercriminals,” said Amritha Reddy, Senior Director of Fraud Solutions at TransUnion Africa.
She emphasized that with mobile phones being central to South Africans’ daily lives, it’s no surprise fraudsters are focusing their efforts online.
68% of South Africans Targeted by Fraud
The report also highlights a broader national vulnerability to scams. Between August and December 2024, 68% of South Africans reported being targeted by some form of fraud—ranging from phishing emails to deceptive third-party sellers.
Key scam tactics included:
- Phishing (33%)
- Smishing (31%)
- Fraud by third-party sellers on legitimate sites (28%)
Financial Losses Mount as 1 in 3 Lose Money to Scams
Perhaps most concerning, 33% of survey respondents admitted to losing money to fraud in the past year.
The top three scam types resulting in financial loss were:
- Third-party seller fraud
- Money mule schemes (26%)
- Stolen credit card use (23%)
“Cybercriminals exploit the trust that exists on community-driven platforms and use a variety of social engineering tactics to deceive users,” Reddy explained.
A Call for Stronger Security in Igaming
The data paints a clear picture: while South Africa’s igaming market continues to grow, its fraud exposure is escalating just as fast. Industry leaders and regulators may now face mounting pressure to:
- Enforce stricter identity verification
- Invest in real-time fraud detection
- Educate users on recognizing and avoiding scams
With online platforms becoming increasingly central to both business and leisure in South Africa, strengthening digital trust is no longer optional, it’s critical!
Author – Chidubem for iGamingToday and original article can be found here.
