Virgin Bet has officially launched its operations in South Africa, marking a historic milestone as the brand’s first international expansion outside the United Kingdom.

Virgin Bet’s entry into South Africa marks its move into Africa’s largest regulated gambling market, which is governed at both provincial and national levels. Operated by the LiveScore Group, the platform is now accessible to local users via virginbet.co.za. This move is a central component of the group’s broader strategy to establish a significant footprint across the African continent.

To support the South African venture, LiveScore Group is leveraging its existing infrastructure in Nigeria, where it already operates the LiveScore Bet product. This launch serves as a proof of concept for the company’s unique integrated model, which aims to unify sports media and betting services into a single ecosystem. By utilizing its popular LiveScore app, the group possesses a direct channel for customer engagement that provides a distinct competitive advantage in the local market.

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The platform operates under a Bookmaker Licence (Reference Number: 9-2-1-09938) granted to VB South Africa (Pty) Ltd. by the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER) on January 6, 2026, in accordance with the Mpumalanga Gambling Act of 1995. Key details of the licensing agreement include the administrative premises located at No 8, Chief Mgiyeni Khumalo Drive, MXJ House, White River, Ehlanzeni. The license authorizes the company to conduct business as a bookmaker under the name Virgin Bet, however, it does not permit any land-based bookmaking operations at this time. The license requires an annual renewal application to be submitted by June 30th, with the renewal date set for September 30th.

To ensure a secure environment, the platform has integrated several responsible gambling features from the outset, including safety tools like deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion options. It also complies with mandatory age verification and has established a dedicated local customer support team. Additionally, Virgin Bet has committed to community engagement through local Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects aimed at promoting safer gambling practices.

Gail Odgers, Head of Marketing for Virgin Bet South Africa, stated, “Our goal is to build confidence and introduce Virgin Bet in a way that South Africans can trust. Whether it’s football, rugby, or cricket, sport is woven into daily life. This passion is what makes this market so compelling for us.”

However, the expansion comes at a time of potential regulatory shifts. The South African National Treasury has proposed a 20% levy tax framework for online gambling. This move toward higher taxation has faced significant pushback from the industry and remains a critical factor for Virgin Bet’s future growth in the region. The future growth of LiveScore Group in the region will depend on market developments and the implementation of upcoming legislative and tax reforms.