South African consumers are spending less but gambling more, says Absa report

THE latest Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report for the first half of 2025 released Monday indicates that South African consumers are curtailing their spending while increasingly engaging in gambling activities.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

This reflects not only shifting financial priorities but also the rapid transformation within the gambling sector driven by technology..

Isana Cordier, managing executive for the consumer sector at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, stated that the bank's internal data shows a 6% month-to-month decline in total card spending, coupled with an 8% fall in transaction volumes.

“This aligns with historical trends, as internal data suggests that June typically experiences negative growth,” Cordier said.

“Despite this decline, month-to-month, year-on-year performance showed a modest 2% increase, suggesting some resilience in consumer activity over the longer term. The average transaction value increased by 3%.”