January blues propels online gambling culture in Eswatini

Recent observations in Eswatini’s public spaces reveal a growing culture of online gambling as a response to the January financial strain. The trend has become increasingly visible among commuters using kombis (public transport minibuses) and members of the public in urban centres.

Gambling now appears embedded within daily routines, reflecting widespread financial stress following the festive season. Individuals frequently engage with online betting platforms in bank queues and on public transport.

Crash games such as Aviator have gained substantial traction across southern Africa, including Eswatini. Activities once linked to casinos or betting outlets now occur openly in ordinary public spaces.

Betting during commutes becomes routine

During the normal daily commutes between Manzini and Mbabane, customers spend most of their time placing bets on mobile application platforms. Some of these customers are glued to gambling platforms throughout their journeys without even engaging in conversations with their neighbours. Others openly discuss their betting strategies.

More often than not, people postpone bets because of errands or internet failures, showing that citizens now factor gambling into their routine rather than treating it as an occasional indulgence.

Social media platforms have amplified betting

Habits formed in trains and buses now extend to different online platforms. People place their betting slips on social media platforms with messages encouraging others to participate. Examples of messages that are crowdsourced include “asizame, nguJanuary,” which is “let us try, it’s January,” while others promote particular betting activities, suggesting that they can use the winnings to pay school fees.

These posts reflect the financial pressure that comes with a new year. People now portray online gaming as a financial solution rather than a recreational activity or an economic gamble.

January pressure spurs participation

January in Eswatini means financial struggle for many families. Families struggle with school fees, debts, and drained savings accounts from the holiday period. This struggle has the most significant effect on working-class families and the unemployed.

One of the ways that people deal with stress is through gambling. What starts as curiosity or experiment develops into a regular habit, which is a reflection of economic vulnerability rather than just a form of entertainment.

Participation rates rise to alarming levels

Recent figures show registered gamblers in Eswatini reached approximately 385,000 before tighter regulatory proposals. That figure represents nearly a quarter of the population. The numbers reflect a sharp rise in online gambling participation.

Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Simelane announced Eswatini generated E26.1 million in revenue in 2025. The figures highlight the sector’s economic significance. However, social consequences remain largely unaddressed.

Regional patterns reflect local concerns

In South Africa, the gambling turnover for 2024/25 hit $86 billion. Online gambling contributes over half of all gambling revenue and is driving this growth. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation records increasing cases of problem gambling as people seek assistance after spending money meant for necessary expenditures. The pattern is very similar to what is happening in Eswatini.

Digital gambling is worsening addiction prevalence

MBABANE – Renowned Psychologist Ndo Mdlalose warns that gambling has become a social norm among many emaSwati. She says digital platforms significantly worsen addiction levels.

Mdlalose explains that online gambling intensifies the problem because it is easily concealed and constantly accessible. “Digital gambling has worsened the situation because most people are intensely addicted and can easily get away with it. It is not an obvious habit like substance abuse – you can’t smell it or physically see signs of gambling,” she said.

She adds that online gambling is now viewed by many as a primary income source. “Online gambling has become so viral to the extent that people have resorted to it as a significant source of income. Sadly, gambling is extremely risky yet very hard to quit. There is something we term ‘beginner’s luck,” she said. Mdlalose explains that early wins create false hope, encouraging continued betting at high financial cost.

Mental health risks deepen concern

Gambling disorder falls within the same diagnostic category as drug and alcohol use disorders. One in five people with a gambling disorder attempts or completes suicide. That risk is higher than in other substance use disorders.

Christopher Welsh, MD, medical director of the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, highlights further concerns. Gambling often co-exists with alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. Mobile sports betting disproportionately attracts younger male users.

This group already faces higher rates of suicide and loneliness. The convergence of financial pressure, accessibility, and mental health vulnerability remains deeply troubling.

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