DigiPlus aims to launch in South Africa by 2027
The company has applied for three licences with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB), covering national manufacturing, bookmaking and bookmaker premises.
South Africa.- Philippines-based online gambling company DigiPlus Interactive Corp has announced its intention to soft launch its gaming operations in South Africa by early 2027, pending the approval of necessary licences.
In September 2025, DigiPlus confirmed it had applied for three licences with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB), covering national manufacturing, bookmaking and bookmaker premises.
DigiPlus president Andy Tsui expressed confidence that the company’s applications will be approved within the next eight months. He noted that the company will draw on its expertise gained from establishing its Brazil operation, set to launch next year, to fast-track its entry into South Africa’s online gaming market.
Tsui said: “We probably will adopt a similar approach [to Brazil]. First, we get the licence and then we’ll build a local team there and we also have to conduct market research to better understand what would be the product offering. I would say sometime in early 2027, we also will do a soft launch in South Africa.”
Widely regarded as a key benchmark for regulated markets in Africa, South Africa’s online betting market was valued at more than $1.6bn in 2023 and 2024, and is expected to experience annual growth of up to 5 per cent.
According to the National Gambling Board, gross gambling revenue for the 2024/25 financial year reached R75bn (€3.95bn), with online betting contributing about 60 per cent of the revenue.
The industry’s expansion is driven by rising mobile phone adoption, a growing digital population and strong demand for live sports betting. However, the rapid growth of the betting industry has also led to increased concerns about problem gambling and the need for stricter regulations to protect vulnerable individuals.
In a previous statement, DigiPlus indicated that it chose the Western Cape province due to its favourable market conditions and the WCGRB’s reputation for transparent regulatory processes and digital readiness. Tsui noted that the company will continue to assess developing countries for potential licensing opportunities, signalling plans for further expansion into more African markets.
