Recent Changes in South African Gambling Regulations to Watch

South African gambling regulations are changing as lawmakers respond to online growth, player safety concerns, and illegal activity. These developments affect bettors, operators, and regulators across the country. From proposed online gambling laws to stronger enforcement, the gambling landscape is evolving quickly.

ALSO READ: How to Report Illegal Gambling Operations in Gauteng

Tighter Oversight for Online Gambling, but It’s Not Legal Yet

Online gambling remains a legal grey area in South Africa. While betting on sports and horse racing is legal, all online casino-style gambling (slots, roulette, poker) is still illegal under the National Gambling Act. Despite attempts to regulate it in 2008, the relevant amendment never came into effect.

That may change soon. In 2024, the Remote Gambling Bill was reintroduced to Parliament. If passed, this bill would legalise and regulate online casino games, placing them under the control of licensed South African operators.

According to CMS Law, the bill proposes strict requirements:

Operators must hold a South African license.
Platforms must include player verification and anti-money laundering checks.
Servers must be hosted within South Africa.

Until Parliament passes this bill, players who use offshore online casinos do so illegally and without legal protection.

National Gambling Board Gains More Authority

The National Gambling Board (NGB) now plays a more active role in enforcing South African gambling regulations. It works closely with provincial boards to monitor compliance, investigate complaints, and conduct audits.

Recent regulatory updates give the NGB more power to:

Penalise noncompliant operators
Coordinate raids with SAPS
Promote responsible gambling programs
Launch consumer awareness campaigns

The NGB also encourages the public to report illegal gambling. In 2024, it launched an anonymous online portal for tips and complaints (NGB Official Site).

Provinces Update Their Licensing and Compliance Rules

Provincial gambling boards are aligning with national standards to create a more unified regulatory system. For example:

The Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB) introduced stricter technical rules for gaming machines and betting software. It now requires third-party testing and regular compliance audits.
The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board improved its Know Your Customer (KYC) rules. Licensed operators must verify every player’s identity and source of funds before granting access.

These updates promote safer gambling and help boards monitor activity more effectively. While each province still issues its own licenses, they are following the same compliance principles.

Player Protection Now a Priority

South African gambling regulations now include more tools to help players stay in control. Operators must provide options for self-exclusion and spending limits and promote responsible gambling messages.

The NGB partners with organisations like SANCA and the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation to offer support services. Players struggling with addiction can access free counselling through these networks.

Operators must:

Display responsible gambling messages and helplines
Train staff to recognise gambling harm
Give players tools to manage their behaviour

Advertising rules are also under review. The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) is working with the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition to stop aggressive or misleading marketing, especially that which targets young people (ARB).

Illegal Gambling Operations Under Fire

Unlicensed gambling remains widespread in some parts of South Africa, especially in townships and informal venues. These operations often escape tax, ignore safety rules, and put players at risk.

Law enforcement has increased its focus on illegal gambling. In Gauteng, for instance, the gambling board conducted 478 enforcement actions in the past year, closing illegal arcades and seizing unlicensed machines (Gauteng Gambling Board Annual Report).

However, a recent statement from the Democratic Alliance revealed that the board is understaffed, with only three inspectors covering the province, far fewer than required (DA Gauteng).

The National Gambling Board urges communities to report suspicious gambling activity using its online platform.

Tax Compliance and Reporting

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) continues to improve its tracking of gambling revenue. While there’s no formal national threshold for reporting player losses or winnings, SARS works with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) to detect suspicious financial activity in the gambling sector.

Licensed operators must:

Keep detailed records of transactions
Report high-risk or large bets
Cooperate with tax and compliance audits

These measures help fight money laundering and improve overall industry transparency. However, no law currently requires operators to report individual player losses unless part of a suspicious transaction report.

Digital Licensing in Progress

Some provinces, such as the Western Cape, have introduced online portals for licensing and renewals. While there’s no national digital licensing system yet, the move toward paperless, faster application systems is underway. A centralised licensing platform may emerge once the National Gambling Act is fully updated.

What Lies Ahead for South African Gambling Regulations?

Looking forward, these changes are likely:

Parliament may pass the Remote Gambling Bill, which would legalise online casinos and poker.
A revised National Gambling Act could bring greater consistency across provinces.
Tighter data reporting and tax measures may emerge to track operator activity.
Additional rules on gambling ads and sponsorships could protect younger audiences.

South African gambling regulations are moving toward modernisation. With digital trends on the rise and stronger player protection measures in place, the sector is becoming safer and more transparent for all involved.