South Africa’s gambling regulator and advertising watchdog partner on gambling ads
The partnership will cover gambling advertising on social media, influencer campaigns and other digital channels.
South Africa.- South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) and Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen oversight of gambling advertising across traditional and digital platforms. The agreement, announced on September 17, establishes a framework for the organisations to cooperate on monitoring gambling advertisements, handling complaints and responding to breaches of advertising standards.
The partnership comes as gambling operators increasingly use digital channels, including social media, influencer marketing and other online platforms, to promote their services. The NGB and ARB said the growth of online gambling and digital marketing has increased the need for closer coordination between gambling regulators and bodies responsible for advertising standards.
Under the MoU, the organisations will establish referral mechanisms for complaints relating to gambling advertising and cooperate in identifying and addressing non-compliant advertisements. Their collaboration will also cover cross-border and illegal online gambling advertising, including monitoring of social media, influencer campaigns and other digital channels.
The ARB will contribute its expertise in advertising standards and the administration of the Code of Advertising Practice, while the NGB will provide its regulatory expertise and oversight of South Africa’s gambling sector. The organisations will also exchange information on emerging advertising trends, regulatory concerns and associated risks.
The agreement also covers educational campaigns and awareness initiatives, allowing the NGB and ARB to use their respective communication platforms to raise awareness among gambling operators and communities about advertising requirements and responsible gambling.
Lungile Dukwana, NGB acting chief executive officer, said the partnership would help the regulator respond to changes in how gambling advertising reaches consumers. He pointed to social media, influencer marketing and digital platforms as channels through which gambling promotions can reach consumers more frequently, including young and vulnerable audiences.
According to Dukwana, the MoU enables the two organisations to exchange information, respond to advertising breaches and coordinate oversight where their mandates intersect. He also linked the agreement to efforts to limit the promotion of illegal and unlicensed gambling.
Gail Schimmel, ARB chief executive officer, said the agreement comes as the organisation prepares to launch its updated Gambling Code and as gambling advertising continues to evolve across traditional and digital media. She said effective advertising self-regulation requires clear standards and cooperation between relevant organisations, while consumers need to be able to trust the advertising they encounter.
Schimmel added that the partnership would strengthen the ARB’s response to emerging issues in gambling advertising and provide a direct channel for the organisations to share information and address concerns.
