The National Gambling Board (NGB) of South Africa has launched a new procurement process to identify a specialist technology provider capable of monitoring, tracking and blocking illegal online gambling websites targeting South African consumers.
The regulator has issued a revised Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting qualified service providers to submit proposals by 4 September 2026. The exercise forms part of the NGB’s broader strategy to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed online gambling operators that continue to target South African players in contravention of the National Gambling Act (NGA), 2004.
According to the regulator, the selected provider will be responsible for identifying illegal gambling websites, restricting access to them, and supplying intelligence to support future investigations and enforcement actions. The EOI will be used to shortlist qualified companies ahead of a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
Comprehensive Enforcement Framework
The NGB’s proposed solution centres on four key functions designed to improve oversight of the illegal online gambling market.
First, the successful provider will be expected to continuously monitor online gambling activity targeting South African consumers, identifying illegal operators, their countries of origin, licensing status and ownership structures.
Secondly, the provider will implement measures to block access to identified illegal gambling websites operating within South Africa.
The third requirement focuses on intelligence reporting, with the provider expected to submit detailed reports that can support investigations and enforcement by the NGB and other law enforcement agencies.
Finally, the provider will be required to track blocked websites to detect operators that attempt to re-enter the market using new domain names or web addresses, allowing enforcement measures to be applied promptly.
Explaining the objective of the project, the NGB stated:
“The NGB wishes to find a service provider who will block these websites and provide data intelligence on these operators for further enforcement actions.” As illegal gambling has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by advances in technology, cross-border operations and organised criminal networks.
According to the EOI, illegal operators undermine the integrity of South Africa’s regulated gambling market, deprive government of tax revenue, create unfair competition for licensed operators and expose consumers particularly minors and vulnerable individuals to gambling-related harm.
The NGB therefore noted that many offshore operators exploit digital payment systems, cryptocurrency, internet cafés and jurisdictional loopholes to continue offering services to South African consumers while avoiding local regulatory oversight.
Industry research commissioned by the South African Bookmakers Association (SABA) estimates that illegal operators account for approximately 62% of South Africa’s online betting market, serving around 16 million users and generating more than R50 billion (approximately US$3 billion) in annual gross gambling revenue.Grounded in Existing Legislation
The regulator said the initiative is supported by its statutory mandate under the National Gambling Act, 2004, which empowers the NGB to assist provincial licensing authorities in detecting and prosecuting illegal gambling while promoting a safe, lawful and crime-free gambling environment.
The EOI also reiterates that interactive gambling remains illegal in South Africa, except where expressly authorised by national legislation. Since no such legislation has been enacted, the regulator maintains that offshore interactive gambling services offered to South African consumers continue to contravene Sections 8 and 11 of the National Gambling Act.
