South Africa Moves Ahead With New Gambling Rules

South Africa is preparing changes to its gambling regulations as authorities work on new legislation aimed at improving oversight of the industry. The National Gambling Policy Council (NGPC) has decided to speed up the development of a new gambling bill while also reviewing advertising rules linked to gambling activity.

Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau said the council has been examining challenges within the gambling sector and is working on measures designed to address concerns around gambling addiction and regulatory gaps.

Council Speeds Up Plans for Gambling Law Changes

The NGPC has held two meetings since July 2025 to discuss problems affecting the industry and consider possible policy responses. During these discussions, the council identified the need for updated legislation and agreed to move forward with a new bill that will address current gambling-related challenges.

Tau said, “The resolution was to fast-track the development of a Bill to address gambling challenges in South Africa.”

The planned changes come as South African authorities face growing concerns about gambling advertising, online betting activity and illegal operators targeting local players.

Government Reviews Gambling Advertising Rules

Alongside the upcoming legislation, officials are also working on new regulations that will set clearer requirements for gambling advertising across the country.

The NGPC has recognised that advertising can influence people’s decisions to gamble and may contribute to gambling-related harm. To respond to these concerns, the National Gambling Board is working together with provincial gambling authorities to create common standards that gambling operators will need to follow.

These advertising standards are expected to become part of the conditions attached to gambling licences. The move aims to create a more consistent approach between different provinces and strengthen the way gambling promotions are monitored.

Tau said the Department of Trade and Industry is also developing additional advertising regulations that will work alongside the proposed gambling legislation.

The Gambling Technical Committee, created by the NGPC, will review the National Gambling Amendment Bill, 2018. The committee will examine how national gambling laws and provincial regulations work together and identify areas where changes may be needed.

The review is intended to improve cooperation between different regulators and help ensure that gambling rules are applied more consistently throughout South Africa.

Illegal Online Gambling Remains a Major Concern

The push for new rules follows increasing attention on illegal online gambling activity in South Africa. Industry representatives have warned that unlicensed offshore operators continue to attract local customers while operating outside the country’s regulatory system.

Estimates presented by the South African Bookmakers’ Association indicate that illegal online gambling could be costing the South African economy more than R50 billion each year. The organisation has also claimed that offshore operators now represent close to two-thirds of online gambling activity in the country.

Sean Coleman, CEO of the South African Bookmakers’ Association, said, “While much of the recent public and media debate has focused on the growth of legal online betting, the existential crisis lies in the scale and impact of illegal offshore operators that continue to target South African consumers unchecked.”

Concerns around illegal operators include limited consumer protection and difficulties in enforcing responsible gambling measures. Licensed gambling businesses have also raised concerns about competing with companies that do not operate under South African rules.

The government’s planned reforms will focus on reviewing existing laws, improving cooperation between national and provincial authorities, and introducing clearer advertising requirements.

Officials are continuing work on the National Gambling Amendment Bill review while preparing additional advertising regulations. Together, these efforts are expected to shape the next stage of gambling policy changes in South Africa.

Source: “Government ramps up action on gambling with new laws in the pipeline”, July 2, 2026.