License Name
South African Gambling Licence
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Issuing Country/Region
South Africa
Regulatory Body
National Gambling Board (NGB) and Provincial Licensing Authorities (PLAs)
Types of Regulated Games
Casino, bookmaking (including online sports betting), bingo, limited payout machines, gambling device manufacturing
Market Coverage
Local (provincial) for most activities, national for online betting
Regulator's Reputation
Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Must be an incorporated company (juristic person) in South Africa or an approved foreign entity
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Full disclosure and background checks required for directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Robust KYC, AML/CFT policies, transaction monitoring, and reporting
Reporting Requirements
Periodic financial and compliance reports required by provincial boards
Audit Requirements
Regular audits mandatory for operators
Software Certification Requirements
Certification from an accredited testing laboratory (e.g., GLI) required for gaming software
RNG Certification
Mandatory for relevant game types via approved labs
Payment System Requirements
Secure, certified payment channels required
Server Location Requirements
Gaming servers must be hosted in South Africa
Language Support Requirements
Support for English and local languages recommended
Currency Support Requirements
ZAR (South African Rand) mandatory
Legal Compliance Costs
Costs vary depending on province and license type
Background Checks
Comprehensive background checks on key individuals and company
License Scope Restrictions
Only valid for categories and within areas approved in application (e.g., province, betting type)
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Licensees must comply with provincial and national gambling taxes
Player Data Storage Requirements
Data typically must be stored within South Africa
Cross-Border Operations
Online betting can target customers across provinces, subject to local consumer and ad restrictions
License Application Transparency
Applications are published for public comment in the province of operation
Compliance Officer Requirement
Appointment of a responsible person generally required
Local Partnership Requirements
Not generally required but recommended for operational efficiency
Legal Dispute Resolution
Mechanisms primarily provided by the issuing provincial board
License Transferability
Non-transferable without regulator approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not permitted
License Cost
Varies by license type and province (casino: several hundred thousand to over 1 million ZAR; bookmaking, bingo, slots: from around 50,000 ZAR)
Annual Fees
Varies by province and license type (e.g., Western Cape LPM operator: R151,035; casino can exceed R500,000 annually)
Income Taxes
Provincial gambling tax rates apply in addition to national corporate income tax
Player Winnings Taxes
No standardized withholding; varies per game and province
Financial Guarantees
Proof of sufficient capital and often an escrow account or financial guarantee for player funds
Financial Reporting Requirements
Annual audited statements, periodic reporting per PLA rules
Application Processing Time
Typically 6 to 9 months
Required Documents
Business registration, business plan, audited financials, technical certifications, AML/KYC manuals, software test reports
Business Plan Requirements
Full business plan mandatory with application
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, and compliance manuals required
Testing Requirements
Platform and software must pass lab tests and technical inspections
Certification Requirements
Gaming equipment, software, and RNGs certified by accredited labs
Staff Qualifications
Key personnel must pass integrity and professional suitability checks
Physical Office Requirements
Physical office in South Africa required
Local Representative Requirements
Local company or agent (juristic person) required
Marketing Restrictions
Must comply with provincial advertising and responsible gaming rules
Responsible Gaming Measures
Mandatory self-exclusion, stake limits, age and identity checks
Self-Exclusion System
Required for all regulated operators
Age Verification Procedures
Robust age and ID verification prior to account activation
KYC Procedures
Comprehensive KYC and ongoing customer due diligence
Customer Support Standards
Support in English/local languages; complaint handling procedures required
Player Funds Protection
Segregation of player funds mandatory
Payout Timelines
Set either by regulation or licence conditions
Permitted Games List
Defined in license; casino, betting, bingo and LPMs most common
Betting Limits
Set by provincial law (e.g., LPM stake limit: R5; payout: R500)
RTP Requirements
Minimum return to player percentages set by provincial regulations for some products
Mobile App Compliance
Subject to the same rules as desktop platforms
Security Standards
Platforms must follow technical, data, and operational security standards; ongoing oversight by regulator
Encryption Requirements
Secure SSL/TLS data protection mandatory
Operation Logging
Mandatory for gaming, financial, and compliance related transactions
Anti-Fraud Systems
Ongoing transaction and integrity monitoring required
License Duration
Typically 5 years, renewable
Renewal Procedure
Formal application and evidence of compliance; renewal fees apply
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, suspension, or revocation of license
Ownership Change Rules
Prior regulator approval required for significant changes in control/shareholding
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Prior approval required for corporate restructuring
Subcontractor Regulations
All key suppliers (games, software, payment) require licensing or regulatory vetting
Official Address
The dti Campus, Block G, Ground Floor, Mapungubwe Building, 77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, South Africa
Postal Address
Private Bag X27, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
Fax Number
+27 (0) 12 394 4800
Departments
Licensing and Registration, Compliance, Research, Audit, Information and Communication Technology
FAQ Question 1
What is South African Gambling Licence?
FAQ Answer 1
A South African Gambling Licence authorises a company to operate land-based or online gambling, betting, or gaming activities legally within a specific province, subject to oversight and compliance with national and provincial regulatory requirements
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues South African Gambling Licence?
FAQ Answer 2
Licences are issued by the relevant Provincial Licensing Authority in the province of operation, under national oversight and standards set by the National Gambling Board
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining South African Gambling Licence?
FAQ Answer 3
Licence costs vary widely by province and type: casino licences range from several hundred thousand up to 1 million ZAR, while licenses for bookmaking, bingo, and slot machines are generally lower but may still cost upwards of 50,000 ZAR. Annual renewal fees apply and vary by province and licence type
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for South African Gambling Licence?
FAQ Answer 4
Applicants must be incorporated as a local or approved foreign company, submit a business plan, provide detailed documentation, demonstrate financial stability, pass integrity and background checks. Software and RNGs must be certified by approved labs, and comprehensive AML, KYC, and responsible gaming policies are required. Ongoing regulatory reporting, audits, and compliance with provincial and national laws apply