KwaZulu-Natal regulator warns against unlicensed online gambling
The province has seen a notable rise in unlicensed platforms, fuelled by widespread access to mobile betting apps and websites.
South Africa.- The KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulator (KZNER) has warned that operating unregulated online gambling platforms is a criminal offence, liable to attract hefty fines and imprisonment. The statement was made by Bonga Mngoma, KZNER’s executive for transformation and economic development, during a public briefing on October 31, 2025, where he emphasised the importance of enhanced oversight to protect residents from potential risks.
The province has seen a notable rise in unlicensed platforms, fuelled by widespread access to mobile betting apps and websites. According to Mngoma, the core issue is that online gambling has expanded quickly in recent years, whilst illegal operators remain unregulated and continue to operate unchecked. He stressed that the absence of regulation creates a major problem, putting the public at risk.
Mngoma pointed out that illegal platforms fail to offer safeguards like age verification or fair play assurances, exposing users, often families struggling with daily expenses, to financial risks and addiction.
Under the National Gambling Act, unlicensed operators face penalties of up to 10 years in prison, fines of R10 million (€526,000) or both, with proceeds and assets subject to seizure. South African law permits fixed-odds sports betting online but prohibits other interactive gambling forms, a distinction reinforced by a recent Supreme Court ruling that bars bookmakers from offering casino-style games digitally.
KZNER, established in May 2024 through the merger of the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board and the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Authority, oversees gambling alongside economic and liquor regulation. The regulator collaborates with the National Gambling Board (NGB) and police to enforce rules, but the borderless nature of the internet has made it challenging to monitor digital platforms effectively.
