Gauteng MEC calls for stronger gambling oversight as igaming expands
Ramokgopa said existing gambling legislation is no longer keeping pace with the scale and speed of digital betting operations.
South Africa.- Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa has called for stronger gambling oversight, saying South Africa’s laws need updating to reflect the rapid growth of online betting. In comments to BRICS Africa Channel, she said regulators are under pressure to keep pace with digital platforms, revenue flows and compliance risks.
South Africa’s gambling sector has grown rapidly in recent years, with online betting becoming one of the industry’s fastest-expanding segments. The increase in betting activity has also intensified discussions around taxation, financial compliance and consumer protection.
Ramokgopa added that the Gauteng Gambling Board and the Department of Economic Development are focussed on ensuring that gambling laws are effectively implemented across the industry, including betting operators and other businesses linked to the gambling value chain.
She clarified that gambling remains legal in South Africa, both in physical venues and online platforms, and said the government’s intention is not to criminalise the sector. Instead, regulators want legislation that reflects current market conditions and technological developments.
The MEC pointed to the Gambling Amendment Act and the Gauteng Gambling Amendment Act as part of efforts to address regulatory gaps in online gambling. The proposed changes are expected to strengthen oversight of digital betting operators and improve the government’s ability to collect revenue from the sector.
Authorities also expect updated regulations to support reinvestment into the industry and related public programmes funded through gambling taxes and licensing revenue.
In addition to modern regulations, Ramokgopa also urged the banking sector and financial institutions to strengthen cooperation with gambling authorities to improve monitoring of money flowing through online betting platforms.
Ramokgopa said that banks already hold large volumes of transactional data that could help regulators better understand the size of the industry and strengthen enforcement measures. She noted that while banks are not responsible for regulating the gambling sector, closer collaboration between regulators and the banking sector could help identify industry trends, improve oversight and support revenue tracking efforts.
