The South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) has raised alarms over the growing dominance of illegal online gambling platforms, revealing that unlicensed offshore operators are taking more than R50 billion ($2.9 billion) out of the country’s economy every year. The latest Yield Sec South Africa 2023/24 Report, commissioned by SABA, shows that around 62% of all online gambling in South Africa now occurs through illegal channels.
SABA’s statement underscores the dangers posed by unregulated offshore operators, which evade taxes, fail to contribute to responsible gambling programs, and operate without enforceable player protections. The association warned that these activities threaten the integrity of the country’s regulated market and reduce public funds that support jobs and community projects.
Many of these operators are registered in offshore jurisdictions such as Curacao, Malta, Gibraltar, and the Philippines, where regulation is minimal. These sites use aggressive marketing tactics and exploit local payment systems including EFT gateways, credit cards, and bank transfers to bypass restrictions under South Africa’s National Gambling Act (2004).
Industry experts have called for decisive government action, including enhanced collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, and law enforcement. Without such measures, South Africa risks losing further investment in its legitimate iGaming sector and seeing its regulatory framework undermined by uncontrolled offshore competition.
