How bookmaker licensing works in South Africa
Betting is licensed province by province. One national body coordinates, and 9 provincial gambling boards issue the licences.
Who does what
Each province has its own gambling board (some are part of a wider regulator). The board licenses bookmakers in its province and monitors whether they keep to their licence conditions. The National Gambling Board (NGB) oversees compliance across the country.
Source: National Gambling Board, FAQs (read 3 Oct 2026)
What is lawful online
The NGB says online betting is legal when it is done with a licensed South African bookmaker. You must be 18 or older. National Gambling Act 7 of 2004, section 11, says nobody may offer an interactive game unless the law authorises it, and online betting with a licensed bookmaker is the lawful exception the NGB describes.
A site with no South African licence is outside that exception. That is why this guide lists licensed bookmakers only.
Sources: National Gambling Board, FAQs (read 3 Oct 2026); South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, The NRGP (read 3 Oct 2026)
How to check a licence yourself
- Look on the bookmaker's home page. A licensed online bookmaker shows its licensing information there, on its website or app. Read its terms and conditions too.
- Search the national list. The NGB Verified Operators list takes its data from the provincial boards. The NGB asks people not to gamble anywhere that is not on it.
- Check the province's board. The board for the province named in the licence can confirm it. The boards are in the table below.
- Search our registry to see which official list a name appears on. Open the registry.
Sources: National Gambling Board, FAQs (read 3 Oct 2026); National Gambling Board, Verified Operators (read 3 Oct 2026)
If it does not add up
Do not bet. Report illegal gambling to the provincial board first. If the board does not help, write to the NGB at [email protected].
Source: National Gambling Board, FAQs (read 3 Oct 2026)
The 9 boards
| Province | Board | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cape | Eastern Cape Gambling Board | ECGB |
| Free State | Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority | FSGLTA |
| Gauteng | Gauteng Gambling Board | GGB |
| KwaZulu-Natal | KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority (gaming and betting) | KZNERA |
| Limpopo | Limpopo Gambling Board | LGB |
| Mpumalanga | Mpumalanga Economic Regulator | MER |
| North West | North West Gambling Board | NWGB |
| Northern Cape | Northern Cape Gambling Board | NCGB |
| Western Cape | Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board | WCGRB |
See which boards publish a bookmaker list in the registry coverage table.
If gambling is causing you harm
Call the National Responsible Gambling Programme line, free and confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
You can also message 076 675 0710 on WhatsApp or email [email protected].
Sources: South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, The SARGF (read 3 Oct 2026); South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, The NRGP (read 3 Oct 2026); National Gambling Board, National Responsible Gambling Programme (read 3 Oct 2026)