South Africa’s Illegal Gambling Task Team Begins Enforcement Drive in Limpopo
Thirteen people have been arrested and R10,853.10 seized in the first operations conducted by South Africa’s Illegal Gambling Task Team (IGTT) in Limpopo.
The operations were carried out in Modimolle on 4 August 2026 and Lephalale on 6 August 2026 by the IGTT, which brings together the National Gambling Board (NGB), the Limpopo Gambling Board, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, North West Gambling Board and the South African Police Service (SAPS). The action forms part of the National Enforcement Strategy adopted by the Law Enforcement Forum (LEF) to strengthen the fight against illegal gambling.
The task team inspected five identified illegal gambling sites, all operating under the guise of internet cafés. Two of the premises also displayed Film and Publication Board (FPB) certificates, whose legitimacy has been referred to the FPB for further investigation. Those arrested included five punters, six site managers and two cashiers. Criminal cases were opened against them, while further fines were issued.
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Limpopo is the first province where the IGTT has conducted disruptive operations. The NGB said the lessons from the province will inform similar operations as the initiative is rolled out across all nine provinces.
NGB Acting Chief Executive Officer Lungile Dukwana welcomed the outcome, saying the operations reflected stronger cooperation between gambling regulators and law enforcement agencies.
“These operations demonstrate our collective commitment to protecting South Africans from illegal gambling. The establishment of this IGTT strengthens cooperation between regulators and law enforcement agencies and allows us to take a coordinated approach to disrupting illegal gambling activities. While the cash seized represents only a fraction of the proceeds generated through illegal gambling, these operations send a clear message that illegal gambling will not be tolerated.
Illegal gambling deprives the country of tax revenue, undermines the regulated gambling industry and exposes consumers to operators who function outside South Africa’s regulatory framework. These operations also highlight the increasingly deceptive methods employed by illegal gambling operators. Businesses posing as legitimate internet cafés while facilitating illegal gambling activities deliberately mislead consumers and undermine South Africa’s regulatory framework,” said Dukwana.”
The regulator has urged members of the public to avoid illegal gambling, warning that punters using unlicensed operators have limited legal protection and may be exposed to fraud and unfair gambling practices. They can check whether an operator is licensed through the NGB’s Licensed Operator Verification Portal, which is available on the NGB website and allows the public to distinguish between licensed and illegal gambling operators before participating.
