South Africa’s DTIC urges unified approach to combat illegal gambling in SA
Klaas Mokaba emphasised that despite the industry’s economic contribution, problem gambling remains a serious challenge nationwide.
South Africa.- The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) in South Africa has called for enhanced societal protection measures as the gambling industry experiences rapid growth, generating more than R75bn (€3.76bn) in gross revenue.
Speaking at the Responsible Gambling Summit 2025, the Department’s Director of Advocacy and Policy Coordination, Klaas Mokaba, emphasised that despite the industry’s economic contribution, problem gambling remains a serious challenge nationwide, worsened by social media’s reach into low-income and vulnerable communities.
He reiterated the Department’s position that online gambling is still illegal in South Africa and expressed concern over advertisements that trivialise gambling.
Mokaba’s views lend support to the recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling that online casino games, such as roulette, are prohibited under South African law, a decision that has been contested by several provincial regulators that licence companies to offer these types of games.
Mokaba said that the Department is currently investigating innovative approaches to regulate gambling advertisements and educate the public about the potential risks. However, he stressed that reducing illegal gambling and ensuring the wellbeing of South African citizens requires a unified approach among provinces and regulatory bodies.
