South Africa to Revive Gambling Policy Council Amid Concerns Over Youth Exposure and Online Betting

Unregulated Advertising Draws Government Scrutiny

Trade Minister Parks Tau announced during a parliamentary session that the government will reappoint the National Gambling Policy Council. The announcement follows findings from the National Gambling Board, which revealed widespread noncompliance among gambling operators. The board noted that several companies aired advertisements without proper responsible gambling messages, exposing minors to gambling content across television and digital platforms.

Tau explained that many of these ads appeared during family-friendly shows, such as MasterChef and Junior MasterChef, which typically attract underage audiences. He emphasized that such marketing practices violate the National Gambling Act, which prohibits advertising directed at individuals under 18.

Sponsorship of Family-Friendly Content Raises Red Flags

Further concerns were raised over gambling sponsorships of children’s programs and radio streaming services like YouTube, often lacking required disclaimers. Tau noted that major bookmakers were backing shows with predominantly young audiences, increasing minors’ exposure to gambling messages. Parks Tau said:

“This results in the increase of visibility and frequency of gambling content during shows mostly viewed by minors.”

Board and Council Set for Revival

The National Gambling Board has remained inactive for nearly a decade since it was placed under administration in 2014. However, the department began appointing a new CEO and board members last year, starting the process of reactivating the board.

Similarly, the National Gambling Policy Council has not met since 2018. Tau stated that the government would reappoint it “without delay.” Once reinstated, the council will focus on improving the enforcement of gambling laws across provinces. The government expects the revived council to strengthen coordination between national and regional authorities.

Alarming Trends in Gambling Revenue and Online Activity

According to the National Gambling Board’s 2023/24 annual report, South Africans wagered R1.1 trillion during the financial year. Gambling revenue rose by 25%, reaching R59.3 billion. Betting accounted for 60% of that revenue, totaling R35.9 billion, while casinos contributed 29%, or R17.3 billion. Most of the gambling income came from the Western Cape, followed by Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Despite this, the government collected only R4.8 billion in taxes and levies. The report also highlighted the rapid expansion of online gambling, which remains largely unregulated.

Tau underscored that regulating online gambling has become a top priority. He noted that provinces apply different enforcement approaches, with some being more lenient. He also stressed the need to incorporate addiction rehabilitation into future regulatory policies.

In his foreword to the annual report, Tau warned about the rapid rise of illegal online gambling and its aggressive targeting of vulnerable communities. He noted that the merging of new technology, evolving consumer habits, and inadequate regulatory structures has created complex challenges for lawmakers.