Can South Africa’s New Illegal Gambling Task Team Finally Stop Unlicensed Operators?

Illegal gambling remains a persistent challenge for South Africa, as unlicensed operators continue to target people across the country. 

The National Gambling Board (NGB) has launched an Illegal Gambling Task Team to tackle the problem. 

But can the new task team make a meaningful impact on illegal operators?

Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.co.za, Juan Van der Westhuizen, Head of Affiliates & Partnerships at Apollo Gaming in South Africa, shares his perspective.  

How Big Is South Africa’s Illegal Gambling Problem?

South African Bookmakers' Association (SABA)-commissioned Yield Sec research found that unlicensed operators accounted for 62% of South Africa’s online gambling GGR in 2023/24.

The research identified 2,084 unlicensed operators targeting South African consumers. It also identified 1,134 affiliate sites promoting those operators.

SABA estimates that more than R50bn in gross gaming revenue flows offshore each year. But illegal gambling is not confined to online platforms.

“Illegal gambling is not only happening online but also in the back of shops and internet cafes, but also openly on some street corners. This is not only a problem in South Africa but in Africa as a whole,” Juan told SportsBoom.co.za.  

The NGB’s first Task Team operations in Limpopo, conducted in Modimolle on August 4 and Lephalale on August 6, saw five illegal gambling sites inspected. All five posed as internet cafés, with 13 people arrested across the operations.

Authorities also seized R10,853.10 in cash, while criminal cases were opened following the operations.

Two of the premises also displayed Film and Publication Board (FPB) certificates, with the legitimacy of those certificates referred to the FPB for further investigation.

The findings also highlight how easily illegal gambling operations can be presented as legitimate businesses.

“Much of the illegal market is designed to look like ordinary, low-risk retail or tech businesses, making it hard to detect without targeted intelligence and on-the-ground verification. The internet café model shows that purely digital or physical enforcement could miss a large part of the market,” Juan added. 

Can The Task Team Disrupt A Market That Operates In Plain Sight?

The Illegal Gambling Task Team brings the NGB, provincial gambling authorities and SAPS together to coordinate enforcement against illegal gambling. 

The NGB says the approach is intended to strengthen collaboration between regulators and law enforcement.

For Juan, the new Task Team is a step in the right direction. “I believe it can cause significant disruption for illegal betting and illegal operators." 

With the Task Team, National Gambling Board and the SAPS working together, they should make a significant impact.”

However, regulators will still have to contend with operators outside South Africa.

“But with that said, there are some illegal operators that are not operating within South Africa, so there needs to be a look at other outside support features or factors to assist the teams, like website and payment blocking.”

Why Raids Alone May Not Be Enough

The challenge extends beyond the physical sites targeted by the Task Team. 

In June 2026, the NGB sought a monitoring, tracking, blocking and reporting solution for illegal online gambling websites.

The regulator identified digital wallets and cryptocurrency transactions as tools used by illegal operators. It also pointed to cross-jurisdictional loopholes that can make enforcement more difficult. 

Yield Sec research found that 16.3 million South Africans, or 27%, engaged with unregulated operators in 2023/24. That gives the online market a reach that physical raids alone cannot address.

“To make a lasting impact, South Africa needs to move from raids to clearer laws, digital enforcement, payment restrictions as well as site measures,” Juan added. 

What Would Make The Crackdown Last?

The Task Team's first operations are not South Africa's first attempt to take illegal gambling operators to court. 

In March, a joint operation by the Limpopo Gambling Board and SAPS in Hoedspruit led to five arrests and the seizure of 17 computers, the NGB said in a June media release.

Two accused were later convicted of illegal gambling and immigration offences, with the state advised to pursue forfeiture of the seized computers.

The Task Team’s work in Limpopo is only the beginning. The NGB says the lessons from the province’s first operations will help inform its rollout across all nine provinces.

NGB Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana said the operations send a clear message that illegal gambling will not be tolerated. 

He said illegal gambling “deprives the country of tax revenue” and “undermines the regulated gambling industry.”

He also warned that consumers are exposed to operators who function outside South Africa’s regulatory framework.

For South Africa’s regulated gambling industry, the Task Team’s success could mean less room for illegal operators.