South Africa Launches New Gambling Task Force as Crackdown Begins in Limpopo

South African gambling regulators have stepped up their fight against illegal operators with the first ground operations conducted by the country's new Illegal Gambling Task Team (IGTT).

The National Gambling Board (NGB), working alongside provincial regulators and the South African Police Service (SAPS), conducted operations in Modimolle on 4 August and Lephalale on 6 August.

Five suspected illegal gambling sites were inspected during the two operations. Authorities arrested five punters, six site managers and two cashiers, bringing the total number of arrests to 13. Criminal cases were opened, fines were issued and R10,853.10 in cash was seized.

Internet Cafés Used to Hide Gambling Operations

One of the more notable findings was the way the businesses were operating.

According to the NGB, all five premises targeted during the operation were posing as internet cafés while allegedly providing illegal gambling activities.

The NGB said this highlighted the increasingly deceptive methods being used by illegal gambling businesses to appear legitimate.

Acting NGB CEO Lungile Dukwana said the new task team would make it easier for regulators and law enforcement agencies to coordinate their response to unlawful gambling.

While the amount of cash seized during the first operations was relatively small, Dukwana said the action sent a clear message that illegal gambling would not be tolerated.

What Is the Illegal Gambling Task Team?

The IGTT was established under the Law Enforcement Forum, which brings together the National Gambling Board and South Africa's Provincial Licensing Authorities.

It forms part of a wider National Enforcement Strategy intended to improve cooperation between gambling regulators and law enforcement agencies.

The Limpopo operations involved the NGB, Limpopo Gambling Board, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, North West Gambling Board and SAPS.

The task team's arrival comes as South Africa intensifies its response to both physical and online illegal gambling.

In June, the NGB also sought a technology provider capable of monitoring, tracking, blocking and reporting illegal online gambling websites targeting South African players. The expression of interest was subsequently amended in July.

Why Illegal Gambling Is a Growing Concern

South African regulators argue that illegal gambling has consequences beyond operators simply avoiding licensing requirements.

Unlicensed businesses don't contribute gambling taxes in the same way as regulated operators and players using them may have little recourse when something goes wrong.

The scale of the problem is potentially substantial. A Yield Sec report commissioned by the South African Bookmakers' Association estimated that illegal operators accounted for around 62% of South Africa's online gambling activity, with more than R50 billion in gross gambling revenue potentially moving offshore each year.

Crackdown Expected to Spread Nationwide

Limpopo is only the beginning of the IGTT's enforcement programme.

The NGB says

Lessons from these first operations will help shape similar action as the initiative expands across all nine South African provinces.

The regulator has also encouraged players to check whether an operator is properly licensed before gambling. Its Verified Gambling Operators portal, launched in April 2026, provides a consolidated list designed to help South Africans distinguish between licensed businesses and illegal operators.