South Africa Advances Plan to Block Illegal Gambling Websites
South Africa.- 25 August 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) is advancing plans to strengthen enforcement against illegal online gambling through a permanent monitoring, blocking and tracking capability.
The regulator has opened an Expression of Interest process to identify suppliers able to detect websites targeting South African consumers, block access and continue tracking platforms that later reappear.
The deadline for submissions is 4 September 2026.
Process Remains Exploratory
The Expression of Interest was originally published on 30 June and amended on 17 July.
Its initial 7 August closing date was extended to 4 September following a briefing session with prospective bidders.
The NGB has made clear that the process does not yet guarantee the award of a contract.
Responses will instead be used to develop specifications for a potential future Request for Proposal or formal tender.
Monitoring, Profiling and Blocking
The proposed service would have several functions.
These include:
- Monitoring illegal gambling websites targeting South Africans.
- Profiling identified operators.
- Establishing country of origin, licensing status and ownership.
- Blocking identified websites.
- Reporting them to the NGB.
- Referring information to law-enforcement authorities.
- Tracking blocked platforms that later reappear.
The objective is not a single enforcement campaign, but a standing capability.
Reappearing Domains a Central Challenge
One of the principal problems identified by the NGB is the speed with which offshore operators can return after being removed.
The authority wants the eventual supplier to continue tracking blocked platforms and allow renewed action when alternative domains or mirror sites emerge.
The strategy therefore aims to move from isolated interventions towards continuous digital enforcement.
Large Illegal Market
The scale of unauthorised gambling is one of the main reasons behind the initiative.
Research commissioned by the South African Bookmakers’ Association attributes approximately 62% of the country’s online gambling activity to illegal operators.
The same analysis estimates that more than R50 billion in annual GGR flows offshore.
Interactive Gambling Remains Illegal
Interactive gambling remains prohibited under South Africa’s national framework.
The 2008 National Gambling Amendment Act sought to establish a licensing system for interactive gambling but never came into operation.
The NGB has also acknowledged that South Africa still lacks a final national policy position on interactive gambling and continues to engage with the National Gambling Policy Council on the issue.
NGB Examines Available Solutions
Lungile Dukwana, Acting Chief Executive of the NGB, has described the procurement as a scoping exercise.
The board wants to understand which technologies and services are currently available and how a practical blocking capability could be structured.
At this stage, prospective suppliers are primarily required to provide corporate information, tax documentation where applicable and relevant certifications or licences.
Suppliers Asked to Explain Methodology
The Expression of Interest also requires potential providers to explain how they would operate the system.
Submissions should cover:
- Proposed methodology.
- Stakeholders requiring involvement.
- Necessary approvals.
- Required letters of consent.
- Implementation stages.
- Solutions to existing NGB challenges.
- Potential revenue streams that could help sustain the service.
The information will help shape any future formal procurement process.
ISPs Push Back
The initiative has faced criticism from the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA).
The organisation argues that South African law does not currently require ISPs to block access to unlicensed gambling websites.
ISPA believes any blocking regime should include:
- A clear legislative basis.
- Judicial oversight.
- Time-limited obligations.
- Safeguards against disruption to lawful content.
Technical Concerns
Internet providers have also questioned the practical effectiveness of certain blocking tools.
Domain-name blocking can be relatively easy for technically capable users to circumvent.
IP-address blocking can meanwhile create unintended consequences when legitimate websites share the same infrastructure.
The debate therefore involves not only regulatory intent but also the technical precision and proportionality of any eventual system.
Current Capacity Remains Limited
The NGB’s existing resources for identifying illegal platforms are limited.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the regulator allocated two human resources and R596,000 to identifying illegal gambling websites.
Its database contained 90 unauthorised platforms, all operated by companies licensed in foreign jurisdictions.
The board has also noted that some websites removed or restricted can later return under alternative domains.
Blocking Not a Standalone Solution
Sean Coleman, CEO of the South African Bookmakers’ Association, has welcomed the procurement but cautioned against treating website blocking as a complete solution.
Illegal operators can quickly create mirror and replacement sites.
Blocking is therefore expected to form part of a broader enforcement strategy rather than replace other regulatory and financial measures.
Next Steps or Impact
The Expression of Interest closes on 4 September 2026.
Once submissions have been assessed, the NGB may use the information gathered to develop a formal tender.
If implemented, the project could move South Africa from isolated enforcement interventions towards a permanent detection, blocking and tracking framework.
The key outstanding issue will be establishing a sufficiently clear legal and technical basis that allows the system to operate effectively without creating conflicts with ISPs or disrupting legitimate online services.
Editó: @fonta
