In South Africa, provincially licensed land-based casinos, sports and horse-racing betting, limited payout machines (LPMs), bingo and the National Lottery are legal. Online casino games (online slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, live dealer games and similar) are illegal, as the National Gambling Board (NGB) restated on 27 February 2026. You must be 18 or older for any form of gambling. As of October 2026, no law legalising online casinos has been passed.
The legal framework: one national Act, nine provincial Acts
The National Gambling Act 7 of 2004 (NGA) sets national norms and standards. Each of the nine provinces has its own gambling law and regulator, which issues licences and enforces them. The National Gambling Board, an agency of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), oversees and coordinates. In practice, licences are provincial: an operator is regulated by the province that licensed it.
| Province | Regulator | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | Gauteng Gambling Board | ggb.org.za |
| Western Cape | Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board | wcgrb.co.za |
| KwaZulu-Natal | KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority | kznera.org.za |
| Eastern Cape | Eastern Cape Gambling Board | ecgb.org.za |
| Mpumalanga | Mpumalanga Economic Regulator | mer.org.za |
| Limpopo | Limpopo Gambling Board | lgb.org.za |
| North West | North West Gambling Board | nwgb.co.za |
| Free State | Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority | gla.fs.gov.za |
| Northern Cape | Northern Cape Gambling Board | ncgb.co.za |
Legal vs illegal at a glance
| Type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Land-based casinos (slots, roulette, tables) | Legal | Only inside licensed casinos; see casinos in South Africa |
| Sports and horse-racing betting (including online with a licensed operator) | Legal | Only with a provincially licensed bookmaker or totalisator; see sports betting |
| Limited payout machines, bingo | Legal | In licensed venues |
| National Lottery (Lotto, PowerBall, etc.) | Legal | Run by the national lottery operator under separate legislation |
| Online casino games (slots, roulette, blackjack, live dealer, “mini games”) | Illegal | NGA section 11: no one may engage in or make available an interactive game unless authorised by national law |
| Unlicensed offshore or crypto gambling sites | Illegal | No South African licence, no protection for your money or disputes |
What changed in 2026
- 27 February 2026, NGB statement: interactive and remote gambling remain unlawful; Remote Gambling Servers (RGS), the technology used to run slot-style games on betting sites, are not lawful gambling systems. The NGB told provincial regulators to prohibit approval or continued use of RGS by licensees and to take enforcement action.
- 8 April 2026: the NGB launched a verified operators list (ngb.org.za/verified-operators/) where anyone can check whether a casino or betting company is licensed in South Africa.
- Casino-style games on betting sites: media reports say bookmakers were told to remove these games by 30 June 2026; the South African Bookmakers’ Association disputes the NGB’s position. Follow your provincial regulator’s notices for how this is enforced.
- Online casino legislation: a Remote Gambling Bill was introduced in 2024 and lapsed in May 2024; another private member’s draft was published for comment in late 2024, and Parliament’s trade committee began work on the topic in 2025. As of October 2026, no law makes online casinos legal, and the 2008 National Gambling Amendment Act was never brought into force.
Age, ID and self-exclusion
- All gambling is 18+. Casinos and bookmakers check ID; foreigners use a passport.
- Large cash transactions and new accounts fall under anti-money-laundering rules (FICA), so expect to show ID and proof of address.
- Self-exclusion: ask the casino or bookmaker; the operator sends the forms to the provincial regulator and the NGB. While excluded you may not gamble anywhere, and lifting the exclusion is only considered after six months and proof of counselling.
- The National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) toll-free helpline is 0800 006 008 (helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za), with free counselling. See responsible gambling.
Are winnings taxed?
Casual gambling winnings of individuals are generally not subject to income tax in South Africa, and lottery prizes are normally treated as capital. If gambling is your main source of income (a professional gambler), SARS may tax it as trading income. Gambling taxes are mainly levied on operators. For your own situation, see our personal income tax guide or ask a tax practitioner.
Notes for Chinese nationals
- China’s Criminal Law covers “opening a casino” and “organising participation in gambling abroad”. Do not recruit players, collect money or act as an agent for any gambling site in WeChat groups; gambling that is legal in South Africa does not make promoting it to people in China legal.
- Betting groups promising “sure wins”, “insider tips” or “copy my bets” are usually scams.
- Online casinos are illegal in South Africa, so if your winnings are withheld or your account is frozen, no regulator can help you.
For the whole section, see our gambling guide.
FAQ
Is it legal to play online slots or live baccarat in South Africa?
No. NGA section 11 prohibits interactive games not authorised by national law, and the NGB restated this on 27 February 2026. A foreign licence shown on a website does not make it legal in South Africa.
Is betting on football on a licensed bookmaker’s website legal?
Yes, if the company holds a South African provincial licence. Check the NGB verified operators list or the provincial regulator’s website.
Can a Chinese tourist visit a casino?
Yes, if you are 18 or older and carry your passport. Casinos may ask for more details for large cash exchanges.
Do I pay tax on a big win?
Casual winnings of individuals are generally not taxed, but professional gamblers are taxed on their income. Ask a registered tax practitioner if unsure.
Sources
- National Gambling Board: Media release on Remote Gambling Servers (27 Feb 2026)
- NGB: Notice to Provincial Licensing Authorities on RGS
- NGB: Verified gambling operators portal (8 Apr 2026)
- NGB: National Responsible Gambling Programme and self-exclusion
- PMG: Remote Gambling Bill (B11-2024)
- PMG: Notice to introduce Remote Gambling Bill (PMB), 2024
- South African Responsible Gambling Foundation