South African Govt to appoint gambling council following cracks down on non-compliant ads
The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition has announced the reconstitution of the National Gambling Policy Council. The move follows a study by the National Gambling Board (NGB) that exposed rampant noncompliance in gambling advertisements, especially those reaching minors and family audiences without adequate responsible gambling messages.
Noncompliance in advertising
Addressing MPs in Parliament on 7 May 2025, Minister Parks Tau highlighted the NGB’s findings of widespread infractions in advertising practices. “ prohibits the placing of advertisements in media primarily directed at persons under the age of 18. However, the board has noted that advertisements have frequently been aired during family viewing times, including during popular shows like MasterChef and Junior MasterChef,” Tau told MPs.
The study uncovered online ads and public platform promotions that failed to include proper responsible gambling disclaimers. It also found that many such adverts had been placed without age-suitability checks, thereby exposing children and adolescents to gambling content.
Sponsorship of family programmes
Tau further warned against the growing trend of gambling firms sponsoring family-friendly television and radio content. “There is an issue of sponsorship of family-friendly programmes, where major bookkeepers sponsor them. This results in the increase of visibility and frequency of gambling content during shows mostly viewed by minors,” he said.
Ads have been spotted on radio streaming platforms, including YouTube, again often devoid of the statutory disclaimers. According to the minister, this practice intensifies the reach of gambling promotions into homes and family gatherings, circumventing legal protections designed to protect minors.
Reviving the Gambling Policy Council
The Gambling Policy Council has been dormant since 2018. Its sister regulator, the , has not convened since 2014 when it was placed under administration; only last year did the department initiate the process to appoint new board members and a chief executive. Tau confirmed that the policy council will now be appointed without delay. Once in session, its mandate will include strengthening provincial enforcement of gambling laws and ensuring consistent oversight across South Africa.
Online gambling under scrutiny
Minister Tau also pledged a crackdown on online gambling advertisements, which currently operate under inconsistent provincial regimes. “There is an intention to ensure that we can regulate online gambling. It is an environment where different provinces have different approaches, with some being more relaxed. We also want to ensure that there is rehabilitation of addicts,” he told MPs.
In his foreword to the NGB’s 2023/24 annual report, Tau emphasised on the unregulated expansion of digital betting platforms. “This surge in illegal online gambling activities and the widespread advertising of gambling, often targeting vulnerable populations, has presented new challenges for regulators. The convergence of technology, consumer behaviour, and regulatory frameworks has necessitated a robust response to these challenges,” he wrote.
Gambling revenue and tax overview
Despite regulatory gaps, the sector continues to thrive financially. According to the , South Africans placed bets totalling R1.1 trillion ($54.6 billion) during the last financial year. Gross gambling revenue increased by 25% to R59.3 billion ($3.2 billion). Within that figure, betting operations accounted for 60% ($2.1 billion), and casinos contributed 29% ($928 million).
Revenue distribution was uneven across provinces: the Western Cape emerged with nearly a third of total receipts, trailed by Gauteng and Mpumalanga. By comparison, taxes and levies collected by the administrator amounted to R4.8 billion ($219 million).
As the government moves to reestablish the National Gambling Policy Council and bolster the NGB’s capacities, the industry faces a period of intensified scrutiny. Stricter enforcement of advertising standards, uniform regulation of online platforms, and a renewed focus on consumer protection are likely to shape the sector’s next chapter. With billions at stake each year, regulators are determined to curb the influence of “non-compliant” ads and ensure that the growth of gambling proceeds in a socially responsible manner.
