South Africa minister urges stronger gambling oversight as NGB board returns

Minister Parks Tau wants the newly appointed National Gambling Board to focus on online betting, excessive gambling, enforcement and coordination with provincial authorities.

Key takeaways:

• South Africa’s trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau has called for stronger gambling oversight, particularly of online betting and excessive gambling.
• Tau said the newly appointed National Gambling Board should strengthen enforcement, improve regulatory coordination and support consistent gambling standards.
• The NGB is expected to work with provincial licensing authorities and law enforcement to tackle illegal gambling, investigate unlawful winnings and monitor compliance with the National Gambling Act, 2004.
• The NGB had operated without a board since 2014; Tau described the new appointment as a significant milestone for the department.
• Dr Makgathatso Charlotte Chana Pilane-Majake chairs the new board, with Kganki Matabane as deputy chairperson.

South Africa.- South Africa’s trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau has called for stronger oversight of gambling, particularly online betting, as the newly appointed National Gambling Board (NGB) prepares to take on a more active governance role. Tau expects the board to address excessive gambling and balance the sector’s economic contribution against the need to protect the public from gambling-related harm.

He noted: “The Board is appointed at a time when there is excessive gambling in society, including online, and it is expected that this challenge and many others will receive more concerted attention.”

The minister added that the board should strengthen enforcement, improve regulatory coordination and support the development of consistent gambling standards across South Africa. The board is expected to work with provincial licensing authorities and law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal gambling, investigate unlawful winnings and monitor compliance with the National Gambling Act, 2004. Its responsibilities will also include monitoring market share and conduct, as well as assessing gambling’s risks and socio-economic impact.

Tau emphasised that the board would provide strategic direction for the NGB and strengthen its corporate governance. He also expects it to improve engagement with the gambling industry, promote compliance with relevant legislation and provide policy and regulatory recommendations to the National Gambling Policy Council.

The minister described the appointment as a significant milestone for the department, noting that the NGB had operated without a board since 2014. He added that the incoming board would build on work undertaken by the organisation under acting chief executive Lungile Dukwana and the executive team, while providing the oversight needed to advance its mandate.

The new board is chaired by Dr Makgathatso Charlotte Chana Pilane-Majake, with Kganki Matabane serving as deputy chairperson. Other members include Chuma Fani, Zoleka Gloria Bula, Silochini Pillay, Milton Ntwana, Niklasina Maria Kruger, Khayalethu Ntimbela and Sizakele Magangoe.