Limpopo Gambling Board wages war on illegal gambling lounges
Regulator has warned that gambling in such venues is unlawful and could result in arrests, urging residents to report offenders to the police or directly.
South Africa.- The Limpopo Gambling Board (LGB) is ramping up its campaign against illegal gambling operations disguised as “internet lounges” across the province.
In a recent notice, the board warned that gambling in such venues is unlawful and could result in arrests, urging residents to report offenders to the police or directly via (015) 230 2300. This comes after a major operation in which hundreds of illegal machines were destroyed in the province.
LGB CEO Gregory Makoko has also raised concerns about blurred lines between gaming and gambling, cautioning against unregulated activities such as Fafi or dice games. He further warned that law enforcement may raid and shut down spaza shops found to be involved in illegal gambling activities.
The Board’s ongoing safer gambling awareness drive, run in partnership with the Limpopo Tourism Agency and the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF), includes school visits, radio discussions and outreach events like the September Bettabets Moratiwa activation, where educational materials were handed out. The LGB also used its August 2025 Women’s Month campaign to urge families to reject illegal gambling for the sake of community safety.
Enforcement remains strict, with more than a thousand machines seized in recent years. During a destruction exercise in April 2024, MEC Rodgers Monama linked illegal gambling to wider crimes, including human trafficking.
With the province losing millions annually to the underground trade, the board continues to strengthen partnerships with SAPS and the Financial Intelligence Centre to clamp down on offenders.
