Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has welcomed Cabinet’s approval of the new Board of the National Gambling Board (NGB), confirmed in September 2026.
Tau described the appointment as a turning point for the regulator, noting that the NGB has had no Board since 2014. The new governance structure, he said, will strengthen oversight of gambling regulation in South Africa and support the NGB’s work alongside provincial licensing authorities and other law enforcement bodies.
“This is a major milestone for the Department,” Tau said. “The Board will jointly set the NGB’s strategic direction and reinforce corporate governance.” He added that it will back the NGB in delivering on its National Gambling Act of 2004 mandate, which includes tackling illegal gambling, investigating unlawful winnings, monitoring provincial licensing authorities’ compliance, overseeing market share and conduct, and assessing the risks and socio-economic impact of gambling.
The Minister noted that the Board will build on work done by the NGB’s executive team under Acting Chief Executive Officer Lungile Dukwana, while providing the strategic oversight needed to move the organisation forward.
Tau also expects the Board to promote consistent norms and standards across the sector, deepen collaboration with other regulators, ensure compliance with related laws, step up enforcement, and send policy and regulatory recommendations to the National Gambling Policy Council. He wants it to build confidence in the industry and support operators by drawing on its members’ combined expertise.
Highlighting the timing, Tau said the Board takes office amid rising concern about excessive gambling, including online, and expects this and other challenges to receive focused attention. “We expect the Board to strike a balance between the socio-economic impact of gambling and protecting society from its harmful effects,” he said.
