Eastern Cape Gambling Board wins ALGA award for tackling illegal gambling
The recognition follows a series of enforcement activities targeting illegal gambling sites and unauthorised machines in the province.
South Africa.- The Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB) has received the Illegal Gambling Combatting Excellence Award at the recently concluded African Lotteries and Gaming Association (ALGA) CEOs Forum, held from September 1 to 4 at the Zimbali Coastal Resort & Conference Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
The award was presented by Ambassador Lindiwe Daphney Zulu and accepted by ECGB CEO Mabutho Zwane alongside Zuko Sydwell Phandle, the board’s manager: audit and compliance.
In a LinkedIn post announcing the achievement, ALGA said the award recognises the ECGB’s work to combat illegal gambling and protect the integrity of the industry. The post read: “This is more than an award for enforcement. It is a recognition of what it takes to protect a legitimate industry: strong regulation, accountability, collaboration and the willingness to act.”
According to ALGA, illegal gambling affects licensed operators and weakens the regulatory controls designed to protect consumers and maintain confidence in the sector.
Recent enforcement operations by the ECGB have resulted in illegal gambling sites being closed, cases being registered with the South African Police Service (SAPS), and unlawful gambling machines and other devices being confiscated.
In February, the board reported that 155 illegal gambling machines had been seized from a container in Nyandeni before they could be distributed across the province. The ECGB has also previously confiscated unlicensed Chinese Roulette machines from taverns, technology shops and barber shops in Gqeberha and the former Transkei region. At the time, the regulator said the machines could not be registered, tested or certified by an approved South African laboratory.
Alongside seizures and closures, the ECGB is using public awareness initiatives to help communities distinguish between licensed and illegal gambling activities. These campaigns provide information on the risks associated with unlawful gambling and the importance of using licensed operators.
The latest recognition adds to a series of honours received by the ECGB and its leadership. In 2025, the board received two Gold Awards at the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation Awards for its public awareness initiatives and responsible gambling regulator messaging.
In 2026, ECGB CEO Mabutho Zwane was inducted into the SiGMA Africa Hall of Game, recognising his contribution to gambling regulation and governance. The board also received the Continental Commitment and Impact Award at the Gaming Tech Summit Africa in June.
