(AsiaGameHub) –   The National Gambling Board (NGB) launched a brand-new online verification portal on Wednesday, which is designed to compile a full list of all gambling operators licensed in South Africa.

This initiative is part of a wider campaign to curb illegal gambling activities and guide consumers toward authorized, properly regulated operators.

Accessible via the NGB’s official website, this portal was developed in partnership with provincial licensing authorities (PLAs). It includes a searchable directory of every legally licensed land-based and online gambling operator across the country.

This database will be regularly updated and made available to the general public, law enforcement agencies, tax authorities, and financial institutions.

Only gambling operators listed on this portal hold the legal authorization to offer gambling services in South Africa.

A ‘critical step’ for safeguarding in South Africa

Lungile Dukwana, the acting CEO of the NGB, highlighted the critical importance of this platform in protecting South African citizens from the risks tied to illegal gambling.

“This platform represents a critical step forward in shielding South Africans from the dangers posed by illegal gambling,” Dukwana stated.

He emphasized that the register offers a trusted resource for verifying licensed gambling operators, and allows consumers to participate in gambling activities within a safe, regulated environment.

“It gives the public a reliable tool to confirm licensed gambling operators, ensures that anyone who chooses to gamble can do so in a secure, regulated space, and strengthens oversight and accountability across the gambling industry.”

This verification tool also aims to improve oversight and accountability within the gambling sector.

Taxes and wagering increases

South Africa is Africa’s largest regulated gambling market, overseen by both provincial and national regulatory bodies.

According to the NGB, 1.5 trillion South African rand (equivalent to $89 billion) was wagered across the country during the 2024/2025 financial year, marking a 31.3% increase from the prior financial year.

However, the regulatory framework has struggled to keep pace with the growth of cross-border online gambling and offshore betting sites that target South African players without proper authorization.

This strain has been underscored by a recent Gauteng High Court ruling, which reaffirmed that online casinos remain illegal under current national law. The ruling also highlighted inconsistencies in provincial enforcement and the widening gap between existing legislation and the realities of the digital marketplace.

The country is currently considering a 20% tax on gross gaming revenue.

This proposal has sparked controversy, with a spokesperson from the Free Market Foundation (FMF) telling iGB that “The likely result is that more users will be driven to offshore online casinos, which operate outside the existing regulatory regime and do not pay gambling taxes.”

A crackdown on the unlicensed 

Illegal and offshore gambling continue to present significant challenges for South African regulators. The South African Bookmakers Association (SABA) recently reported that 62% of online gambling activity in South Africa comes from unlicensed operators.

The NGB’s portal is designed to boost visibility and consumer awareness by encouraging people to verify an operator’s credentials before placing bets.

“We are not encouraging gambling beyond recreational use, but rather promoting informed and responsible participation for those who choose to engage in it,” Dukwana explained.

The board also emphasized consumer protection, noting that gambling through licensed operators guarantees access to dispute resolution mechanisms, ensures adherence to responsible gambling protocols, and complies with anti-money laundering requirements.

The NGB has announced plans to collaborate with financial institutions to use this verification list, helping authorities prevent unlicensed operators from facilitating transactions through South African banks and payment providers.