South Africans gambled over R1 trillion last year. That's trillion, with a T….
A 30% jump in twelve months, and you can feel it everywhere. Every billboard, every rugby jersey, every airport, every second ad break. The casino used to be somewhere you drove to. Now it lives in your pocket, right next to your banking app.

This week the team goes deep on the gambling boom that's quietly become a national crisis. We spoke to a psychologist working with affected youth, a young person who got hooked and made it out, an economist, and an MP pushing for tighter rules. The question we kept coming back to was a simple one. If South Africans are losing this much, who exactly is winning?

Turns out the answer runs through provincial licensing, political donations, and a few names you might not expect. We followed the money and it led somewhere interesting.

Oh, and we made our own betting ad. A more honest one. You'll see...

If this one made you think twice and you need someone to talk to, the toll-free gambling helpline is 0800 006 008. Confidential support, any time.