National Gambling Board Proposes the Voluntary Exclusion Programme to Protect Players and Increase Operator Accountability
The National Gambling Board has published proposed amendments to the National Gambling Regulations, 2004, marking a significant step toward strengthening South Africa’s responsible gambling framework.
The amendments were set out in Government Gazette No. 54106, issued on 10 February 2026, by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Mpho Franklyn Parks Tau. They outline intended regulatory refinements aimed at improving the processes surrounding the National Register of Excluded Persons and enhancing the accountability of gambling operators.
The amendments include a Voluntary Exclusion Programme designed for individuals who recognize they have a gambling problem and wish to be barred from all designated gambling areas nationwide. Under the new regulations, a person wishing to register as an excluded individual must submit Form NGB 1/1, either in hard copy or electronically, to the NGB. This submission must include a recent passport-sized or high-quality digital color photograph (minimum 250 KB) with their name and address on the back, completed in black ink with initials on each page, along with a copy of their ID or driver’s license. The exclusion officially takes effect 10 days after the notice has been submitted to the Board. Once accepted, the applicant acknowledges their exclusion from all designated gambling areas nationwide.
The draft regulations introduce new mandates for gambling operators, placing a heavier administrative and enforcement burden on license holders. When an operator receives a notice of exclusion, they are required to submit it to the Board on the same day of receipt and, within five days, implement the necessary administrative processes. Additionally, license holders have 90 days from the commencement of these regulations to submit internal control measures to their relevant provincial licensing authority, detailing how they will effectively enforce exclusion measures within their venues and monitor non-participation by individuals on the exclusion database. The amendments also emphasize that exclusion is not necessarily permanent; however, individuals seeking reinstatement must demonstrate a commitment to recovery by submitting Form NGB 1/2 to be removed from the National Register of Excluded Persons.
The consequences for breaching a voluntary exclusion are substantial and serve as a strong legal deterrent. If an excluded person is found gambling, they are not eligible to win, and any accrued winnings are liable to be forfeited and remitted to the National Gambling Board. Furthermore, entering a designated gambling area while on the register is legally classified as trespassing, which authorizes operators to remove the individual from the premises. By signing the exclusion notice, a person agrees to relinquish their right to sue the gambling industry, regulators, or staff if any issues arise while enforcing the exclusion.
Reinstatement of gambling privileges is not automatic and requires a formal application for cancellation via Form NGB 1/2. To be removed from the National Register of Excluded Persons, an individual must provide proof of completing a compulsory rehabilitation treatment plan, along with a report from a recognized rehabilitation institution or registered professional. By submitting this cancellation, the applicant acknowledges that they are now a “responsible gambler” and accepts full liability for any future consequences of their gambling activities.
The information in the voluntary exclusion notice is highly confidential and can only be accessed by regulatory authorities, licensed operators, their agents, and affiliates. It is not shared with family members, employers, or prospective employers. The law ensures that this information is used solely to enforce exclusion under the National Gambling Act, 2004, and remains a private matter between the individual, the National Gambling Board, and the gambling operators. By signing, the individual authorizes its release to ensure they are barred from gambling venues.
Beyond the exclusion register, the amendments also address technical standards. The re-certification of technical amendments for gambling machines and devices must now be conducted within specific 24-month windows relative to the lapsing of their letters of certification.
The public is currently invited to have their say on these draft regulations. Written comments must be submitted within 45 days of the publication date, which was 10 February 2026. Comments can be mailed to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition in Pretoria or sent electronically to Ms. Tsholofelo Shale.
