National Gambling Board Clarifies Legal Standing of Remote Gambling Servers in South Africa
On February 27, 2026, the National Gambling Board (NGB) officially clarified the regulatory status of Remote Gambling Servers (RGS), reaffirming that these systems are currently unlawful and do not constitute legal gambling systems under South African legislation.
In a formal notice to all Provincial Licensing Authorities (PLAs), the NGB emphasized that interactive and remote gambling activities remain prohibited unless explicitly authorized by national law.
This clarification is based on sections 33 and 34 of the National Gambling Act, 2004 (Act No. 7 of 2004). Under this Act, an “interactive game” is defined as any gambling game played through an electronic agent over the internet, unless it is played on licensed premises specifically authorized for such games. Section 11 of the Act explicitly states that no person may engage in or make available an interactive game except as authorized by national law.
According to Mr. Lungile Dukwana, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NGB, “Gambling in South Africa is regulated and licensed through the National Gambling Act, 2004 (Act 7 of 2004) (‘the NGA’), and the nine Provincial Gambling Acts. The NGA, which sets the national norms and standards, has expressly prohibited interactive gambling until a legislative framework to regulate such activities is developed and passed by the President.”
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The NGB’s position aligns with a directive from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), which states that current technical standards, specifically SANS 1718-4:2018 (Edition 3), apply only to Wagering and Record Keeping Systems (WRS) and do not support the certification of Remote Gambling Systems (RGS) as standalone systems. As a result, RGS cannot be submitted for certification under SANS 1718, and the NRCS will no longer issue, renew, or extend Letters of Certification (LoCs) for RGS. Existing LoCs for RGS have either already lapsed or will lapse upon expiry, with no further certification activities permitted.
The NGB has instructed Provincial Licensing Authorities (PLAs) to align their licensing and enforcement practices with this clarified legal position. They are required to prohibit the approval or continued use of RGS in licensed operations and to ensure that all operators use duly certified Wagering and Record Keeping Systems (WRS) compliant with SANS 1718. The NGB plans to monitor the implementation of this directive across all provinces and will report to the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition on compliance levels.
“The NGB will monitor the implementation of this notice across all provinces and will report to the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition on compliance levels, enforcement outcomes, and the broader industry impact,” elaborated Mr. Lungile Dukwana.
