SABA urges South African players to use only regulated betting operators
Industry body warns that illegal offshore gambling sites expose millions of South African players to unpaid winnings, fraud and limited legal recourse.
South Africa.- The South African Bookmakers Association (SABA) has urged South African consumers to verify the licensing status of online gambling platforms and use only regulated operators, warning that illegal offshore sites expose players to significant risks.
The association said players should ensure that betting platforms clearly display their legal licensing details, including the name of the registered operator and the relevant provincial gambling board responsible for oversight.
SABA CEO Sean Coleman said: “A significant proportion of online gambling activities continue to operate outside the safeguards of the regulated system.”
According to research commissioned by SABA and conducted by gambling intelligence firm YieldSec, 62 per cent of online gambling activity in South Africa occurs on illegal platforms, with more than R50bn (€2.5bn) in gross gambling revenue flowing offshore each year.
The study also found that around 16 million South Africans used illegal gambling platforms in the past 12 months, highlighting the scale of the issue. Researchers also identified more than 2,000 unlicensed gambling websites targeting South African consumers online.
Coleman warned that consumers who use unlicensed platforms face serious risks. “There is no guarantee that winnings will be paid out and players have no recourse.”
According to SABA, licensed gambling operators must comply with strict regulatory safeguards, including age verification requirements, anti-money-laundering controls and responsible gambling measures.
Illegal operators, by contrast, often advertise foreign licences from jurisdictions such as Curaçao, Malta, Gibraltar or the Philippines, which do not authorise them to offer gambling services in South Africa. SABA added: “Choosing a licensed operator is about protecting yourself.”
