The biggest losers in the long run could be retailers, insurance companies and national savings as more people find a taste for chance. Gaming is one of the new big spending destinations. Its impact is so pervasive that State-run Statistics SA plans to include gaming in future consumer inflation weightings. So retailers did not benefit as much as they could have. But gambling was not the only reason for the poor performance of retailers last year.
Analysts say business and consumer confidence was at a historic low.
Cell-phone spending also absorbed revenues from retailing. Lotto spokesman Victor Dlamini argues retailers actually benefit from lottery ticket sales. Clothing and liquor, too, are down. As in Australia, slot machines will be allowed in entertainment establishments outside casinos. But unlike Australia, only five machines with a limited payout of R500 will be allowed in each establishment.