The National Gambling Board (NGB), in execution of its statutory mandate under the National Gambling Act, 2004 (Act 7 of 2004) (NGA), continues to take enforcement measures to combat illegal gambling activities in South Africa.
Section 16 of the NGA empowers the NGB to investigate the circumstances of illegal gambling activities, including illegal online gambling.
Upon determination of an unlawful gambling activity, the NGB applies to the High Court for an order that unlawful winnings derived from the unlawful gambling activity be confiscated by the State.
To give effect to Section 16 of the NGA, subject to the investigation conducted between 1 April 2025 and 10 April 2026, various sums identified as income derived from illegal gambling activities were, by order of the High Court, forfeited to the State.
The consolidated amount seized during this period is approximately R3 075 000, which includes:
- Approximately R775,000 was seized from the state during the 2025/26 financial year (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026); And
- Approximately R2 300 000 had been seized as of 10 April 2026 during the 2026/27 financial year (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027).
A consolidated sum of approximately R3 075 000 was deemed to be proceeds of illegal gambling activities obtained in contravention of the NGA.
As a result, the High Court ordered that the various amounts be forfeited to the State as per Section 16 of the NGA.
“The seizure of proceeds derived from illegal gambling activities demonstrates the NGB’s continued commitment to enforcing the NGA and supporting lawful and accountable gambling practices in South Africa.
“These enforcement measures serve to protect the public and strengthen the consequences associated with illegal gambling activities,” said Lungile Dukwana, acting CEO of the NGB.
“This outcome underlines the importance of a coordinated regulatory and judicial approach in protecting the public and maintaining the credibility of South Africa's gambling industry. We are committed to ensuring that all gambling activities take place in a legal, regulated and accountable environment.”
The NGB therefore urges members of the public to exercise caution when participating in gambling activities, particularly not to gamble on platforms that are not licensed in South Africa.
According to Section 16 of the NGA, any winnings received from illegal gambling activities can be declared as unlawful income and confiscated to the state by order of the High Court.
Therefore, individuals who associate with illegal online gambling operators run the risk of losing all winnings acquired through such activities, with no legal protection or recourse available.
The NGB encourages the public to verify whether a gambling operator is legally licensed before gambling and to only participate in gambling activities operated within South Africa's regulated legal framework.
Members of the public are encouraged to verify the status of gambling operators via the NGB Verified Gambling Operators web portal available on the NGB website. www.ngb.org.za/verified-operator/, Before participating in gambling activities and to report any suspicious or illegal gambling activities contact the NGB Switchboard on 010 003 3475 or send an email to info@ngb.org.za.
Alternatively, any suspicious or illegal gambling activity should be reported to the relevant provincial licensing authority of the province in which such activities have been identified.
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