The National Gambling Board (NGB) of South Africa is in the process of finding a service provider to help combat illegal online gambling websites that target consumers in the country. This initiative was announced on June 30, and the expression of interest (EOI) was amended on July 17, with the deadline for submissions pushed back from August 7 to September 4, 2026, following a briefing session held on July 15 for potential bidders.
Research commissioned by the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) reveals that illegal operators account for about 62% of online gambling activities in South Africa, with over R50 billion ($3.1 billion) in gross gambling revenue leaving the country each year.
In a statement to the Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry, and Competition in June, Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana mentioned the absence of a finalized national policy regarding interactive gambling. He noted the necessity for South Africa to develop an appropriate legal framework for online gambling and that the board is in discussions with the National Gambling Policy Council about the matter.
Dukwana described the procurement as an initial assessment of the market’s capabilities, acknowledging that while the concept of blocking websites faces both technical and legal challenges, it is a much-needed step.
The envisioned blocking service would profile illegal gambling websites aimed at South African users, detailing their origin, licensing status, and ownership. The provider chosen will be responsible for blocking these sites and reporting them to the NGB for action by law enforcement. They will also need to monitor these sites to ensure they do not reappear.
The exercise is grounded in the National Gambling Act, which mandates the NGB to support provincial licensing authorities in identifying unlicensed gambling activities. The NGB has asserted that implementing this capability will help curb illegal gambling.
As it stands, interactive gambling is illegal in South Africa. Although the 2008 National Gambling Amendment Act aimed to create a licensing framework for such activities, it has yet to be implemented. The EOI highlights that illegal interactive gambling continues to proliferate despite being explicitly prohibited.
The NGB envisions a continuous capability to block these sites each time illegal operators attempt to engage local consumers. The information gathered will also be provided to law enforcement for punitive measures against offenders.
It's important to note that the EOI does not obligate the NGB to award a contract, but rather seeks proposals from providers interested in participating in a subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) or tender process. The purpose of the submissions is to assist in formulating the specifics for a future tender, allowing prospective bidders to provide only basic company information and any necessary certifications or licenses.
The Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) has voiced objections to the concept of blocking sites without a definitive legislative framework. Following the EOI's announcement, ISPA released a position paper arguing that any disruptions to internet service should occur within a clear legal context that weighs communication rights against the risks posed by harmful content. ISPA chair Sasha Booth-Beharilal stated that while some illegal content may warrant blocking, any such measures require legal grounding, judicial oversight, and defined timeframes.
ISPA raised concerns about the effectiveness of blocking methods, indicating that technically savvy users could easily evade domain name blocking, and that IP address blocking could inadvertently impact numerous unrelated sites. They cited a European case where blocking several shared IP addresses resulted in the shutdown of over half a million unrelated sites.
Currently, the NGB has limited resources to enforce these efforts. According to a response from the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, two positions have been allocated along with R596,000 to identify illegal gambling websites in the 2025/26 fiscal year. The NGB’s database lists 90 illegal gambling sites, all operated by companies based abroad. The board does not directly engage with these operators, and none of the 10 illegal websites referred to Google Africa for search removal had been addressed as per the Minister's response during the year.
While the NGB's report indicates that 23 of these 90 sites blocked access following intervention, it notes that users can still access them through alternative technologies. Dukwana explained that sites removed from search results frequently resurface, prompting the need for an effective tracking system in the proposed procurement.
Sean Coleman, CEO of SABA, welcomed the initiative but cautioned against viewing website blocking as a sole solution. He stated that while it is necessary, illegal operators can quickly create new or alternative sites.
Bidders are required to outline their operational needs, including methodology, necessary approvals, and partnerships. They must also identify potential revenue streams that could sustain the service, creating a demanding arrangement for bidders despite the lack of guarantee for a subsequent contract.
The NGB did not provide extensive comments on the EOI process, emphasizing that it remains active and submissions are ongoing. The board indicated it had conducted an information session for potential bidders to ensure clarity and equitability in the procurement process, stating that further details will be shared once the submission phase concludes.
