South Africa’s gambling regulator is seeking support from internet service providers to block access to offshore online gambling websites. This marks one of its strongest enforcement efforts against the country’s growing illegal online casino market.
Appearing before Parliament this week, the National Gambling Board (NGB) said it had requested assistance from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. The goal is to restrict access to gambling websites operating from overseas jurisdictions.
The regulator identified Curaçao, the Philippines, Gibraltar, and Malta as major licensing jurisdictions for operators targeting South African players.
The NGB said it has already contacted regulators in several of these jurisdictions. It has also issued legal notices to companies it believes are unlawfully offering gambling services in South Africa.
Authorities are also working with the South African Police Service, provincial gambling regulators, Google, Meta, and communications authorities. Their aim is to remove advertising and limit access to unlicensed gambling platforms.
Online Gambling Market Continues to Grow
South Africa’s gambling market has expanded rapidly in recent years.
According to figures presented by the NGB, South Africans wagered approximately R1.5 trillion during the 2024/25 financial year, up from R1.14 trillion the previous year. Moreover, gross gambling revenue increased by more than 26% to R75 billion, with betting accounting for around 70% of total revenue.
The rapid growth has made enforcement increasingly challenging.
The NGB maintains that online casino gambling remains illegal under the National Gambling Act. However, major betting operators, including Hollywoodbets, Betway, Sportingbet, Sunbet, and SuperSportBet, argue that many of their online products fall under licensed betting activities. They claim these should not be considered prohibited interactive gambling.
Legal Dispute Remains Unresolved
A key issue is how online casino-style games should be classified.
The regulator argues that games requiring active player participation should be treated as interactive gambling. As a result, these games are illegal under current legislation.
Operators generally maintain that players are betting on game outcomes, placing these products within the scope of legal betting licenses.
The differing interpretations have allowed casino-style products to continue operating while regulators and provincial licensing authorities apply the law inconsistently.
The NGB said it has repeatedly communicated its legal position to provincial regulators. Yet, it has struggled to achieve consistent enforcement nationwide.
Provincial governments have benefited significantly from the expansion of betting activity. This is particularly true in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga, where gambling-related revenue has grown substantially.
Advertising Also Faces Greater Scrutiny
The regulator also identified gambling advertising as a major factor driving illegal online gambling.
Officials said extensive marketing campaigns, including promotions by social media influencers, have helped normalize gambling. These efforts have also encouraged participation among consumers seeking additional income.
The NGB is working with sports regulators, provincial authorities, and the Advertising Regulatory Board to develop new advertising standards. These will be submitted to the National Gambling Policy Council.
The regulator reiterated that, outside licensed online sports betting, online gambling remains illegal in South Africa. Whether website blocking and stricter advertising rules will significantly reduce the country’s rapidly growing offshore gambling market remains uncertain.
