South African Bettors Warned About Fake Betting Apps Ahead of World Cup

The warning comes just as interest in football betting is set to rise during the 2026 Football World Cup. While most people will be focused on the matches themselves, the regulator says that scammers will be using the opportunity to target unsuspecting players.

NGB Urges Bettors to Verify Operators Before Gambling

According to the NGB, members of the public should only use licensed gambling operators and check the legitimacy of a platform before depositing money or placing bets.

A Verified Gambling Operators Web Portal has been set up to let bettors check the status of operators. ^[1] South Africans can check the database before gambling to make sure an operator's license is valid.

The NGB also encouraged people to report suspicious or illegal gambling activity directly to the board.

Why Major Sporting Events Can Attract Scammers

Betting activity often increases around large sporting events, especially among casual players who only bet during major events.

Scammers take advantage of this opportunity. It's easy to fall prey to sites and apps that look like the real thing. But without the proper licensing and consumer protection, it can all go wrong very quickly.
NGB's latest warning doesn't point to a specific scam, but it reminds bettors to use caution when signing up for new casinos.