The South Africa gaming market size reached USD 1,081.34 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 2,219.93 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 8.32% during 2025-2033. The speedy increase in internet connectivity throughout South Africa is strongly contributing to the market growth. Additionally, esports is gaining popularity in South Africa, with increased participation and viewers indulging in competitive gaming competitions. Furthermore, the move towards digital game distribution is expanding the South Africa gaming market share.
Report Attribute
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Key Statistics
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Base Year
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2024 |
Forecast Years
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2025-2033 |
Historical Years
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2019-2024
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Market Size in 2024 | USD 1,081.34 Million |
Market Forecast in 2033 | USD 2,219.93 Million |
Market Growth Rate 2025-2033 | 8.32% |
Rising Internet Penetration and Mobile Use
The speedy increase in internet connectivity throughout South Africa is strongly contributing to the market growth. Increasing numbers of individuals are connected with fast-speed internet connections, which are facilitating smooth online gaming experiences. The use of mobile phones is growing as well, and more South Africans are playing video games with smartphones. As the cost of mobile devices comes down and internet connectivity reaches remote locations, mobile platforms are becoming highly convenient. Furthermore, mobile gaming is gaining popularity, as it provides ease and flexibility in that one can play games anywhere and at any time. With mobile gaming platforms remaining on the rise, game developers are trying to keep pace with the demand for mobile-content-friendly offerings, including localized gaming products customized for South African audiences. As per Meltwater, in 2024, 45.34 million people were recorded to use the internet, and 118.6 million mobile connections were active in the country.
Rise of Esports and Competitive Gaming
Esports are fast gaining popularity in South Africa, with increased participation and viewers indulging in competitive gaming competitions. The rising popularity of esports is due to the improved accessibility of high-speed internet, which enables uninterrupted online gameplay. South African players are taking part in international esports competitions, promoting a local esports community. Leading gaming brands, sponsors, and media organizations are investing in esports tournaments, further propelling the market growth. With more individuals participating in competitive gaming as players and as followers, the esports culture in South Africa is growing. Esports complexes are being built, and professional teams are becoming organized, further raising the level of competition. Additionally, South African esports teams and players are getting recognition on international platforms, thereby supporting the South Africa gaming market growth. In 2025, VeliTech, a comprehensive iGaming technology provider, officially debuted in South Africa and is poised to transform the industry with its advanced solutions and integrated platform. VeliTech’s automated machine learning (ML) solutions tackle every local operator issue, enabling them to take advantage of a rapidly growing betting market. The advanced ecosystem aims to provide operators with smooth market access through flexible, adaptable, and scalable growth strategies.
Move Towards Digital Game Distribution
The gaming industry in South Africa is transitioning from the sale of physical games to digital distribution platforms. Customers are now downloading games from digital stores and foregoing the typical brick-and-mortar retail outlet. This shift to digital is due to the convenience of gaining immediate access to games and the offerings of digital storefronts that have a plethora of titles to choose from. The trend is also driven by the expansion of digital payment systems, which are making it convenient for South African gamers to make purchases. Developers are catering by emphasizing digital-first releases since they offer a convenient means to reach more people without the logistical limitations of physical distribution. This transformation is contributing to a more accessible and cost-effective gaming experience, further accelerating the popularity of gaming in South Africa. For instance, in 2025, SmartSoft expanded its global reach by introducing its game portfolio on Supabets, one of South Africa’s top iGaming operators. SmartSoft’s collection features high-performing games like JetX, Balloon, FootballX, CricketX, Plinko, and Mine Island, along with various other cutting-edge crash and slot titles.
IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on device type, platform, revenue type, type, and age group.
Device Type Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the device type. This includes consoles, mobiles and tablets, and computers.
Platform Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the platform. This includes online and offline.
Revenue Type Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the revenue type. This includes in-game purchase, game purchase, and advertising.
Type Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type. This includes adventure/role playing games, puzzles, social games, strategy, stimulation, and others.
Age Group Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the age group. This includes adults and children.
Regional Insights:
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, and others.
The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.
Report Features | Details |
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Base Year of the Analysis | 2024 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Units | Million USD |
Scope of the Report |
Exploration of Historical Trends and Market Outlook, Industry Catalysts and Challenges, Segment-Wise Historical and Future Market Assessment:
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Device Types Covered | Consoles, Mobiles and Tablets, Computers |
Platforms Covered | Online, Offline |
Revenue Types Covered | In-Game Purchase, Game Purchase, Advertising |
Types Covered | Adventure/Role Playing Games, Puzzles, Social Games, Strategy, Simulation, Others |
Age Group Covered | Adult, Children |
Regions Covered | Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Others |
Customization Scope | 10% Free Customization |
Post-Sale Analyst Support | 10-12 Weeks |
Delivery Format | PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |
Key Questions Answered in This Report:
Key Benefits for Stakeholders: