South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) has introduced a new online verification portal aimed at combating unlicensed gambling and improving consumer protection across the market.

The platform provides a centralised, publicly accessible database of all licensed gambling operators in the country, covering both land-based and online entities. Developed in collaboration with provincial licensing authorities, the tool is designed to help players, regulators and financial institutions easily verify which operators are legally authorised.

Strengthening oversight and consumer protection

According to NGB Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana, the portal represents a key step in safeguarding consumers against the risks associated with illegal gambling.

By offering a reliable source of verified operators, the initiative aims to steer players toward regulated platforms where protections such as dispute resolution mechanisms, responsible gambling tools and anti-money laundering controls are in place.

The database will be continuously updated and is also intended to support law enforcement and tax authorities in monitoring the sector more effectively.

Addressing a growing illegal market

The launch comes amid increasing concerns over the scale of unlicensed gambling in South Africa. Industry estimates suggest that up to 62% of online gambling activity originates from unregulated operators, many of which operate offshore.

At the same time, the country’s gambling market continues to expand rapidly, with total wagers reaching 1.5 trillion rand in the 2024 to 2025 financial year, a 31.3% year-on-year increase.

However, regulators have struggled to keep pace with the rise of cross-border online platforms, particularly as national legislation still prohibits online casinos, creating inconsistencies in enforcement.

Integration with financial systems

The NGB plans to work closely with financial institutions to leverage the verification portal in preventing transactions with unlicensed operators. This could play a critical role in disrupting illegal activity by limiting access to payment channels.

Broader regulatory context

The initiative also comes as South Africa considers introducing a 20% tax on gross gaming revenue, a proposal that has sparked industry debate. Critics argue that higher taxes could push more players toward offshore platforms, further strengthening the black market.

Outlook

While the verification portal alone is unlikely to eliminate illegal gambling, it represents a practical step toward improving transparency, strengthening enforcement and empowering consumers to make informed choices.

Its effectiveness will ultimately depend on broader regulatory alignment, enforcement capabilities and cooperation with financial and digital stakeholders.

Sources: IGB