South Africa's Gambling Regulator Targets Influencers in Advertising Crackdown

National Gambling Board Declares War on Influencer-Led Advertising

The National Gambling Board (NGB) of South Africa has announced a significant crackdown on gambling advertising, with a particular focus on social media influencers who promote betting activities, especially to younger demographics. This move comes as the regulator identifies the issue of influencers targeting youth as its 'number one' concern. Lungile Dukwana, Acting CEO of the NGB, emphasized the need to protect minors and vulnerable populations from the pervasive reach of gambling advertisements.

The announcement, made around October 2025, signals a heightened regulatory stance against what the NGB perceives as a growing social problem. The betting industry in South Africa has experienced substantial growth, with a reported turnover of R1.5 trillion in the 2024-25 financial year, and online betting contributing significantly to this figure.

Escalating Concerns Over Youth Exposure and Misleading Ads

The NGB's intensified focus stems from several escalating concerns. There is a documented rise in youth participation in gambling, often facilitated by easy access through mobile devices. Reports indicate that students are increasingly using their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances for online gambling, leading to financial distress. Furthermore, the use of social grants for gambling has also become a point of concern.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, highlighted that the existing National Gambling Act prohibits advertisements primarily directed at persons under the age of 18. However, the NGB has observed a disturbing trend of gambling advertisements appearing during prime-time family shows and on platforms frequently accessed by minors, such as YouTube and radio streaming services. Many of these ads are also found to lack proper responsible gambling disclaimers and contain misleading messages.

Regulatory Response and Planned Measures

In response to these challenges, the NGB, in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, is implementing several measures. The National Gambling Policy Council, which had been dormant for seven years, is being revived to strengthen enforcement and ensure uniformity in gambling regulations, particularly concerning online activities.

Key actions and proposals include:

• Prohibiting the use of influencers whose target audience is primarily younger individuals.
• Regulating advertising times to prevent minors from being exposed to gambling messaging.
• Ensuring that advertisements do not contain misleading information.
• Enforcing stricter adherence to licensing conditions, preventing operators from advertising across provinces if not licensed to do so.
• Working with the Advertising Standards Authority to manage advertising content and ensure compliance.
• Developing draft regulations, expected to be launched for comment at a Gambling Summit in November, which may include banning individuals appearing under 25 in adverts and prohibiting 'youth-appealing' imagery.

The Broader Landscape of Online Gambling

The current legal framework, established by the National Gambling Act of 2004, is considered outdated, predating the widespread use of smartphones and online gambling platforms. While online sports betting and horse race betting are lawful if licensed, interactive gambling services like online casinos, poker, and bingo remain prohibited in South Africa.

Despite these prohibitions, the NGB has identified at least 90 illegal online gambling websites operating in the country. Many of these platforms are run by offshore operators, complicating regulatory efforts. The NGB is intensifying its efforts to combat these unlawful activities through targeted enforcement, inter-agency cooperation, and public education campaigns to warn South Africans against unlicensed websites.

The NGB's commitment is to ensure a fair, safe, and regulated gambling environment, protecting consumers from illegal gambling harm and unfair operators.