The National Gambling Board (NGB) is seeking a service provider to oversee the monitoring, tracking, and blocking of illegal online gambling websites that target South African consumers.
The expression of interest (EOI), published on June 30 and amended on July 17, now has a closing date of September 4, 2026, shifted from the original date of August 7 following a briefing for potential bidders on July 15.
Research from Yield Sec, commissioned by the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA), reveals that a significant 62% of online gambling activity in South Africa is attributed to illegal operators. The study indicates that over R50 billion ($3.1 billion) in gross gambling revenue is lost to offshore entities each year.
In June, acting CEO Lungile Dukwana informed parliament's Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry, and Competition that there is currently no finalized national policy regarding interactive gambling, highlighting the need for South Africa to establish a legal framework for online gambling. The NGB is in discussions with the National Gambling Policy Council to address this matter.
Dukwana explained, during an appearance on Business Day TV, that while blocking illegal sites raises both technical and legal concerns, many believe it is overdue. He characterized the procurement process as a means to gauge market offerings, stating, “We want to understand what is in the market.”
Under the proposed plan, the service provider would monitor and profile illegal gambling websites aimed at South African users, looking into factors such as their country of origin, licensing status, and ownership. The provider would take steps to block these sites and report them to the NGB, which would coordinate with law enforcement for further action. They would also track previously blocked sites to prevent their re-emergence.
This initiative is rooted in the National Gambling Act, which mandates the NGB to assist provincial licensing authorities in identifying unlicensed gambling activities. The board asserts that establishing a blocking capacity will aid in curbing illegal gambling.
Currently, interactive gambling is illegal in South Africa. Although the 2008 National Gambling Amendment Act aimed to implement a licensing framework for interactive gambling, it has not been enacted. The EOI notes that the rise of illegal interactive gambling has continued unabated, defying existing prohibitions.
The NGB plans for this capability to offer ongoing protection, enabling it to block sites as illegal operators attempt to access South African punters. The information compiled would be shared with law enforcement to facilitate penalties against these operators.
Importantly, the EOI does not guarantee a contract award, but rather invites proposals from service providers interested in potentially entering a Request for Proposal (RFP) or tender process later. The submissions will inform the development of specifications for any future tenders, and initial bids only require a company profile and relevant certificates.
Opposition to the blocking initiative has arisen from the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA), which has argued against the imposition of site blocking without a solid legislative framework. Following the EOI's release, ISPA published a position paper echoing concerns about administrative orders for blocking unlicensed gambling sites. ISPA Chair Sasha Booth-Beharilal stated that any internet disruption must balance communication rights against the risks posed by harmful content.
While ISPA acknowledges that some illegal content may need to be blocked, it insists on a clear legal framework, judicial oversight, and defined timelines for any blocking regime. ISPA also raised doubts about the effectiveness of blocking measures, suggesting that technically savvy users can easily bypass domain name blocks, and that previous attempts, such as a European ruling, unintentionally affected numerous unrelated sites.
Further complicating matters, the current capacity to address illegal gambling is limited. According to a written response from the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, the NGB has allocated only two personnel and R596,000 for identifying illegal gambling sites in the 2025/26 fiscal year. The minister’s report specified that the NGB's database holds records of 90 illegal gambling websites, all operated by international entities.
The Ministry also indicated that the NGB does not directly engage with these operators. Out of ten sites referred to Google Africa for removal from search results in the 2024/25 year, none had been deleted at the time of the inquiry.
Despite the NGB’s successful intervention in blocking access to 23 of these operators’ sites, many remain reachable via evasive technology. Dukwana noted that sites removed with assistance from Google and Meta often resurface quickly, emphasizing the need for the proposed tracking mechanism to keep pace with these challenges.
Sean Coleman, CEO of SABA, has expressed cautious support for the procurement while stating that it shouldn't be seen as a standalone fix. He remarked that while blocking is significant, illegal operators can swiftly set up alternative sites.
The EOI also requests bidders to describe their operational requirements, detail their methodologies, identify stakeholders for collaboration, and outline approvals needed. Bidders should also specify potential revenue streams that might support the service.
Lastly, the NGB declined to comment further on the EOI process, explaining that it remains active and that detailed inquiries could undermine equal access to information for all bidders. The NGB shared that an information session was conducted to aid potential participants and reiterated that clarity would be provided once the submission process concludes.
