South Africa is stepping up its fight against illegal online gambling, with the National Gambling Board (NGB) moving forward with plans to identify, monitor and block unlicensed gambling websites targeting consumers in the country.
The NGB issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) in June 2026 seeking a service provider capable of delivering a monitoring, tracking, blocking and reporting solution for illegal online gambling activities. The regulator subsequently amended the EOI in July, with the deadline for submissions extended to September 4, 2026.
The move comes as South Africa’s illegal online gambling market continues to grow rapidly. Research commissioned by the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) estimates that illegal operators account for around 62% of all online gambling activity in the country. More than R50 billion in gross gambling revenue is reportedly flowing offshore every year, while an estimated 16 million South Africans have used illegal gambling platforms.
For the NGB, the issue goes beyond lost tax revenue and competition for licensed operators. Unlicensed websites operate outside South Africa’s regulatory framework and therefore do not have to meet the same consumer-protection requirements as locally licensed businesses. The regulator has repeatedly warned consumers about the risks associated with illegal platforms, including scams, unfair gambling practices and the lack of effective recourse when disputes occur.
The proposed system is expected to go beyond maintaining a simple blacklist of domains. The successful service provider will need to identify illegal operators targeting South African consumers, track their online activities and provide information that can support enforcement action. This is particularly important because offshore operators can quickly switch domains or launch new websites after being identified by regulators.
The NGB’s latest initiative also reflects a broader shift towards more technology-driven enforcement in the South African gambling market. The regulator has already been working with provincial licensing authorities and law enforcement agencies to tackle unlawful gambling, while encouraging consumers to verify operators through its official list of licensed businesses.
However, blocking illegal gambling websites could prove technically and legally challenging. Offshore operators can change domains, use alternative URLs or attempt to circumvent blocking measures, meaning that any system will need continuous monitoring and updating.
For South Africa’s regulated gambling industry, the development could nevertheless represent a significant step forward. If successfully implemented, the NGB’s planned blocking system could make it considerably harder for offshore operators to access South African players and could strengthen the position of locally licensed gambling businesses.
The next important milestone will be the selection of the technology provider and the details of how the blocking framework will ultimately be implemented.