The South African Bookmakers Association (SABA) has urged the government to strengthen its response to illegal offshore gambling, warning that unlicensed operators continue to dominate the country’s online gambling market despite existing laws and enforcement efforts. The association says stronger legislation, improved enforcement and tighter financial controls are needed to protect consumers and support the regulated gambling sector.
Illegal market continues to grow
SABA cited research commissioned from online gaming intelligence firm Yield Sec, which estimates that illegal operators account for 62 percent of South Africa’s online gambling market. According to the report, more than R50 billion (US$2.8 billion) in gross gambling revenue leaves the country through offshore operators each year, while around 16 million South Africans used illegal gambling platforms over the past 12 months, according to igamingAfrika.
The association said these operators function outside South Africa’s legal framework and are not subject to local licensing, taxation or consumer protection rules. Unlike licensed operators, they are not required to follow responsible gambling measures or provide formal channels for resolving customer disputes.
SABA backs tougher enforcement
SABA applauded the National Gambling Board’s (NGB) recent actions to bolster enforcement against illicit operators, including investigations into technology that might prevent access to illicit gambling websites.
Chief Executive Officer Sean Coleman said the association supports a broader enforcement strategy that combines technology with legal action.
“We fully support the NGB’s heightened enforcement actions that include a technological component, High Court forfeiture operations, and the coordinated legislative push to eradicate these illicit networks. By declaring war on illegal, unregulated platforms, particularly ahead of or during high-volume sporting periods like the 2026 World Cup, the NGB is taking an essential step toward safeguarding vulnerable citizens and protecting the integrity of the domestic economy,” Coleman said.
According to SABA, countries that have reduced illegal gambling activity have combined technological measures with stronger legislation, coordinated enforcement and financial restrictions. The association pointed to Australia as an example of a country that has strengthened its regulatory powers to disrupt illegal operators and reduce their access to local consumers, as reported by igamingAfrika.
Proposed legal and financial reforms
SABA has proposed several measures to strengthen South Africa’s response to illegal offshore gambling.
The association wants amendments to the National Gambling Act that would give authorities greater powers to take action against offshore operators targeting South African consumers. It also supports changes to the Electronic Communications Act to establish a clear legal process for blocking illegal gambling websites under judicial oversight.
In addition, SABA has called for stronger financial controls by preventing banks, payment service providers and, where appropriate, cryptocurrency exchanges from processing payments linked to illegal gambling platforms. It also wants tougher penalties for local affiliates, marketers and payment facilitators that knowingly support illegal operators.
The association further called for tighter restrictions on digital advertising and influencer promotions that direct consumers to unlicensed gambling websites.
Call for a dedicated enforcement unit
SABA also proposed the creation of a specialised national enforcement capability focused on illegal offshore gambling. The association said such a unit should have the expertise and resources needed to identify, investigate and act against unlicensed operators more effectively.
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