National Gambling Board backs Supreme Court ruling on online roulette
The board said the judgment upheld the policy that separates casinos, betting, limited payout machines and bingo.
South Africa.- The National Gambling Board (NGB) has officially expressed support for a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), which bans bookmakers from offering roulette and other casino games online. The decision, delivered on October 21, 2025, confirms that such operations are unlawful under South African law.
The case originated after some betting companies, including Supabets, started offering fixed-odds bets on live-streamed roulette games. They argued this was permissible as “contingencies” under the 2004 National Gambling Act and claimed it aligned with a broad interpretation of “sporting events” under the Gauteng Gambling Act of 1995.
Despite some provincial approvals, the Casino Association of South Africa challenged these practices, arguing they violated the law by effectively operating as casinos without the required licences.
The court’s ruling was unequivocal. Justice Nambitha Dambuza, writing for the court, said: “Roulette is not a game as envisaged in the definition of ‘sporting event’ in the Gauteng Act.” She clarified that the Act restricts bookmakers to offering bets on ball games, races or athletic contests that are typically open to the public.
Justice Dambuza also addressed jurisdictional concerns. She said: “The board has no control over roulette streamed from Lithuania or anywhere else outside the province. This is at odds with the objectives of the Gauteng Act.”
The court overturned the Gauteng Gambling Board’s approval of the betting practice and ordered costs against the bookmakers and the board.
The NGB echoed the ruling’s significance. Acting Chief Executive Officer Thamsanqa Dukwana said: “The NGB calls on the Provincial Licensing Authorities to monitor that their respective licensees comply with the applicable law and their licence conditions and also ensure that swift and decisive action is taken in accordance with the applicable laws of the country in cases of non-compliance.”
The board said the judgment upheld the policy that separates casinos, betting, limited payout machines and bingo. On enforcement consequences, the NGB warned: “Under section 16 of the National Act, the NGB can seize winnings from illegal activities, including interactive gambling. Violators face criminal penalties: up to ten years in prison, fines of R10 million (€500,000) or both.”
While the ruling directly applies to Gauteng, the NGB stressed its relevance nationwide, advising all bookmakers to halt casino-style betting immediately. The board plans continued work with provincial boards to review licences and educate operators, aiming to balance economic growth with regulated public access.
