South Africa is moving ahead with new gambling legislation and stricter advertising rules as the government seeks to strengthen oversight of the country’s gambling industry. Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau has confirmed that the National Gambling Policy Council (NGPC) is fast-tracking a new gambling bill while also developing tighter regulations on gambling advertising to address rising concerns over gambling addiction and regulatory gaps, according to IOL News.
NGPC pushes for new gambling legislation
In a parliamentary reply, Tau said the NGPC has met twice since July 2025 to review challenges facing South Africa’s gambling sector and identify policy measures to improve regulation.
According to the minister, one of the council’s key decisions was to accelerate the development of new gambling legislation aimed at addressing issues across the industry.
“The resolution was to fast-track the development of a Bill to address gambling challenges in South Africa,” Tau said.
The NGPC has also established a Gambling Technical Committee to review the National Gambling Amendment Bill, 2018. The committee will assess whether the National Gambling Act and provincial gambling laws provide sufficient oversight and will recommend changes to improve consistency between national and provincial legislation.
The review is intended to strengthen cooperation between regulators and improve the enforcement of gambling laws across South Africa.
Advertising rules under review
Alongside the proposed legislation, the government is also preparing new regulations on gambling advertising.
Tau said the NGPC has recognised the effect that gambling advertising can have on people’s willingness to gamble, including its potential contribution to gambling addiction.
To address this, the National Gambling Board is working with provincial gambling authorities to develop uniform norms and standards for gambling advertising. These standards are expected to become part of licensing conditions for gambling operators across the country.
The aim is to create a more consistent regulatory approach while strengthening consumer protection measures.
Illegal gambling remains a major challenge
The government’s latest move comes as concerns continue to grow over illegal online gambling in South Africa.
Recent industry estimates suggest that unlicensed offshore gambling operators now account for nearly two-thirds of the country’s online gambling activity. The South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) has estimated that illegal online gambling is costing the South African economy more than R50 billion ($3.05 billion) each year.
SABA Chief Executive Officer Sean Coleman recently warned that illegal operators pose a significant risk to consumers, licensed businesses and the wider economy.
“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,” Coleman said.
Industry stakeholders have argued that illegal operators often operate outside South African regulations, making it difficult for authorities to enforce consumer protection measures and ensure responsible gambling practices.
Focus on stronger oversight
The planned legislation and advertising rules form part of a broader effort to improve oversight of South Africa’s gambling industry.
By reviewing existing legislation, aligning national and provincial gambling laws, and introducing uniform advertising standards, the government aims to strengthen regulation while addressing concerns linked to gambling addiction and illegal gambling activity.
The Gambling Technical Committee will continue reviewing the National Gambling Amendment Bill, 2018, while the Department of Trade and Industry works on the accompanying advertising regulations. Together, the measures are expected to form the basis of South Africa’s next phase of gambling policy reform.
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