Online Casino & Sports Betting Regulations in South Africa | 2025

Sports betting has been in the roots of South Africa. It’s an opportunity for operators to run an iGaming business and rake in millions. Dive into this blog to learn about Sports betting law and Regulations in South Africa. 

Like European Countries, South Africa is also a central hub for iGaming.

The growth in the market has attracted a lot of operators to venture into this industry and rake in millions.

However, the legal framework surrounding iGaming activities in the country is complex and complicated to navigate.

That’s where understanding the online casino and sports betting law in South Africa becomes crucial for operators to start an online casino effortlessly.

Overview Of Online Casino And Sports Betting In South Africa

iGaming activities like online casinos, poker, slots, baccarat, and the sports betting industry have experienced significant growth in recent years.

The iGaming industry in South Africa is among the biggest gambling markets in Africa, which generated a flabbergasting revenue of EUR 2.3bn in Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR) for 2022-2023, according to the National Gambling Board of South Africa.

The sports betting industry in South Africa covers popular games like cricket, soccer, and horse racing. However, cricket and rugby are the most popular sports to bet on in the country.

Online sports betting in South Africa is a growing industry, allowing operators to earn millions. Nevertheless, the legal landscape of iGaming in South Africa remains uncertain.

Why? Let’s understand this in the next section below…

Historical Legal Landscape

Over the last few decades, the legal landscape of iGaming in South Africa has changed drastically. Gambling was completely illegal in the country until 1994. In 1996, the government passed the National Gambling Act, which legalized land-based casinos.

The same gambling act established the National Gambling Board, which regulates the industry.

The turning point was when the National Gambling Act 1996 was replaced by the National Gambling Act 2004, allowing the legalization of iGaming (online sports betting), which was prohibited previously.

The legal landscape of gambling in South Africa remains in a grey area due to the arguments regarding the laws governing the sector. To date, there have been no significant changes in the country’s legislative framework.

And, that’s where the question arises…

Is Online Gambling Legal In South Africa or Not?

First, let’s understand what online gambling means to South Africa.

In SA, the term ‘online gambling’ refers to casinos, different types of online slots, baccarat, and poker games that are played by offshore providers.

That’s what the Government and the National Gambling Board of South Africa are trying to control, due to which online gambling is illegal here.

While ‘online betting’ is legal in the country. Let’s understand why.

Online betting refers to betting that takes place at horse and dog tracks. And, the providers who have secured proper licenses from the South African government to run this business in their appropriate jurisdiction come under online betting.

Additionally, the main distributor of sports betting licenses in SA is the West Cape Gambling and Racing Board. 

Brainstorm 💡 What Is Pari-Mutuel Online Gambling In SA? The betting which takes place on horse and dog tracks is known as pari-mutuel gambling or pool betting. The National Gambling Act of 2004 permits pari-mutuel betting, mainly for horse racing, regulated by the National Gambling Board (NGB). Licensed bookmakers and operators can offer online and offline pool betting services, while unlicensed offshore platform providers are prohibited.

Top Regulatory Bodies And Compliance

Like EU countries, sports betting in South Africa is regulated by the National Gambling Board (NGB), which monitors and regulates all forms of iGaming in the country.

This regulatory body is responsible for ensuring that all iGaming activities are organized fairly and transparently. While ensuring all operators comply with the sports betting regulations law in South Africa.

NGB has brought multiple regulatory requirements that all operators must fulfill. These requirements include:

• Responsible iGaming practices
• Financial stability
• Player funds protection

Apart from this, operators have to undergo regular audits and inspections to ensure that they’re abiding by all the laws and regulations.

Apart from NGB, nine key provincial authorities also regulate online betting in South Africa, which include:

1. Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB)
2. Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB)
3. KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board (KZNGBB)
4. Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB)
5. Limpopo Gambling Board (LGB)
6. Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER)
7. North West Gambling Board (NWGB)
8. Northern Cape Gambling Board (NCGB)
9. Free State Gambling, Liquor & Tourism Authority (FSGLTA)

These regulatory bodies work closely with NGB and ensure operators comply with requirements and regulations to operate legally.

How Can Operators Obtain A License In SA?

Operators who are planning to start an online casino in the country may have to sail through the regulations and licenses across the country’s nine provinces (mentioned above).

Each aforementioned region allows operators to have a deep understanding of the requirements to run an iGaming business within each provincial jurisdiction.

However, many South African players use offshore casino platforms to bet on their favorite games. They also seek out licensed platforms, ensuring credibility and security.

Let’s now understand…

Request For Approval

The legal landscape in South Africa has been topsy-turvy. However, the iGaming licenses are limited and are issued only after submitting a Request For Approval (RFA) to the particular regulatory authorities.

Processing Time

As you know there are nine provinces in the country and the timeline for procuring a license varies from province to province. It is because of the difference in the evolution process. However, you can expect the application time to be completed within 4 to 12 months.

Cost

Here also, the price of the license depends upon the province where the license will be obtained. Generally, casino licenses cost more than sports betting licenses due to the complexity of operations.

Moreover, each province has its own fee structures and regulatory requirements.

Tax Scenario For Operators

One of the crucial things for operators to know is how much tax they have to pay to the government for running an online casino or sports betting platform.

In South Africa, the iGaming industry is growing at a fast rate, consequently, it increased the tax revenue for the government.

The taxation on online betting in South Africa is regulated by the Value Added Tax Act (VAT), which imposes a 15% VAT on all betting transactions.

In fact, the government has also imposed other taxes on iGaming activities. For instance, the National Gambling Act imposes a 6% tax on gross gambling revenue.

Bonus Point 👇

Fast & Reliable Payment Methods For South African Online Casinos

Firstly, the players in South Africa prefer betting in their local currency which is the South African Rand (ZAR). They find it convenient as it eliminates the complexities of currency conversion.

So, it is a sign for operators to let players play in their local currency to provide a better user experience

Having said that, the majority of players prefer using their credit and debit cards to deposit funds into their accounts. However, a lot of people also opt for alternative payment methods such as Skrill and Neteller or prepaid cards like EcoCard.

Cryptocurrencies Shouldn’t Be Neglected

The entire world is swayed by cryptocurrencies and the iGaming industry is no exception. As a golden opportunity, it is a must-follow suggestion for operators to consider integrating cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether (USDT), etc., as alternative payment methods.

Not only are cryptocurrencies famous, but they are also secure and transparent, which keeps players’ data protected from third-party threats.

Summing It All Up!

The legal landscape of South Africa is a little complicated to understand. However, it’s important to understand the online casino and sports betting laws in South Africa.

Before entering this industry, operators must partner with a white-label sportsbook solutions provider. The software provider will take care of every aspect, from gaming portfolios to technological features and compliance.

That’s where PieGaming comes into the picture. We’re known for delivering advanced and scalable solutions that ensure an unparalleled user experience and business growth.

Choose PieGaming to scale your business in South Africa’s sports betting market.

FAQs

• Is iGaming legal in South Africa in 2025?

  Online sports betting is legal in South Africa. However, online casinos and other interactive gaming activities are prohibited under the National Gambling Act. Only licensed sportsbooks and betting platforms can operate legally.

• What is the Gambling Act in South Africa?

  The National Gambling Act 2004 regulates iGaming in South Africa. It prohibits online casinos but sports betting and horse racing are regulated. The act is enforced by the National Gambling Board (NGB).

• Can South African players legally access international online casinos?

  Though the law prohibits unlicensed iGaming activities, many international online casinos still accept South African players. However, winning from these sites is not prohibited under South African casino regulations.

• What licenses are required to operate an iGaming platform in South Africa?

  Operators must procure a sports betting license from one of the nine provincial gambling boards like the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB), Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB), etc.