Illegal Online Casinos Face Nationwide Block in South Africa

Illegal online casinos targeting South African players could soon be blocked across the country as regulators prepare to strengthen their enforcement capabilities.

The National Gambling Board has issued an expression of interest for a monitoring, tracking, blocking and reporting system designed to detect unlawful gambling websites operating in South Africa.

The original call for proposals was issued on 30 June 2026. An amended version published on 17 July provided additional information about the project and extended the deadline for submissions until 4 September 2026.

New System Would Identify and Block Illegal Casino Sites

The proposed system would continuously monitor online gambling websites that target people in South Africa.

Once a potentially illegal platform has been identified, the technology provider would be expected to investigate the operator and build a profile containing details such as:

• The country from which the website operates
• Whether the operator holds a recognised gambling licence
• Information about the company or individuals behind the site
• Evidence that the platform is targeting South African players

Websites confirmed as illegal would then be blocked to prevent them from continuing to offer gambling services within the country.

“The identified illegal websites must be blocked to prevent further operations within the country,” the National Gambling Board said in its revised expression of interest.

Four-Part Plan Targets Offshore Operators

The proposed enforcement system would be built around four main functions.

Continuous tracking would be particularly important because illegal casino operators can change their website addresses or launch replacement domains after an original site has been restricted.

Under the NGB’s proposal, a previously blocked operator that reappears would need to be identified and blocked again as quickly as possible.

Evidence Could Be Shared with Law Enforcement

Website blocking would only form one part of the planned crackdown.

Information gathered about illegal operators would also be reported to the NGB and could be passed to law enforcement agencies for further investigation. The regulator says the aim is to ensure illegal operators can be held accountable in court and face penalties available under the National Gambling Act.

The proposed system is therefore intended to do more than stop players from opening an unlawful casino website. It could also help authorities identify where an operator is based, who owns it and how it continues to reach South African customers.

The NGB says offshore locations have made enforcement particularly difficult because many illegal platforms operate from foreign jurisdictions beyond the immediate reach of provincial regulators.

Industry Calls for Wider Regulatory Reform

The proposed blocking system comes as South Africa’s gambling industry calls for smarter online gambling regulation, with licensed operators arguing that the country’s laws have not kept pace with the rapid growth of digital betting.

Industry representatives support stronger action against illegal offshore websites, but some also believe South Africa needs clearer and more modern rules for lawful online gambling. They argue that effective regulation should combine enforcement with stronger identity checks, responsible gambling controls, anti-money laundering measures and consistent compliance standards for licensed businesses.