TLDR
- South Africa’s National Gambling Board responded to public confusion about its Verified Gambling Operators Web Portal
- The portal helps consumers check if gambling operators are licensed under South African law
- “CLOSED” listings don’t necessarily mean illegal activity is happening at those sites
- The NGB confirmed licensed online bookmakers are included on the portal despite claims otherwise
- The board urged the public to report suspicious gambling activity to the NGB or provincial authorities
South Africa’s National Gambling Board has stepped in to clear up confusion surrounding its Verified Gambling Operators Web Portal. The platform has drawn recent commentary that prompted the board to issue a formal media response.
The portal is hosted on the NGB’s website and serves as a public tool. It lets anyone check whether a gambling operator or premises is properly licensed in South Africa.
The information on the portal comes from the country’s nine Provincial Licensing Authorities. These are the bodies responsible for issuing and managing gambling licences under provincial laws and the National Gambling Act of 2004.
The NGB said the platform was built to protect consumers from illegal gambling. That includes offshore and online operations that the board says pose risks to players and the broader economy.
Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana encouraged the public to keep using the portal. He asked people to report any suspicious or potentially illegal gambling activities to the NGB or the relevant provincial authority.
What the “CLOSED” Status Actually Means
One point of confusion has been around operator listings marked as “CLOSED” on the portal. Some observers assumed this label pointed to regulatory failures or illegal gambling.
The NGB pushed back on that reading. It said the “CLOSED” tag does not automatically mean unlawful activity is taking place.
In the Limited Payout Machine sector specifically, sites may carry the “CLOSED” status for a range of routine reasons. These include renovations, temporary business shutdowns, fee disputes, or other day-to-day operational issues.
The board was direct in saying that unless there is actual evidence of illegal activity, assuming “CLOSED” equals wrongdoing is unfounded.
The portal is built from data supplied by the Provincial Licensing Authorities. Those bodies oversee the licensing, suspension, and closure of gambling premises in their respective provinces.
Online Operators Are on the Register
The NGB also addressed a separate claim that the portal excludes online gambling operators. Some commentators had tied this to the pending Remote Gambling Bill B11-2024, which has not yet been enacted.
The board said regulation is based on existing Acts of Parliament and provincial laws. It is not based on bills still moving through the legislative process.
The current legal framework remains the National Gambling Act of 2004 along with provincial statutes. The NGB said that framework governs what appears on the register.
Contrary to claims that the portal lists “zero online gambling operators,” the board confirmed that licensed bookmakers authorized to offer online sports betting are included.
The NGB stressed the portal is not designed to promote gambling. Its purpose is to improve access to regulatory information and shield consumers from unlicensed operations.
The board said it remains committed to transparency and consumer protection. It will continue updating the portal based on data from the Provincial Licensing Authorities.
Dukwana’s statement reinforced that the NGB sees public engagement with the portal as a key part of combating illegal gambling in South Africa.
