Your betting winnings could be forfeited. How to check a site is legal
Winnings from illegal betting sites can be forfeited to the state. Saba says check the footer for a South African provincial licence, then confirm it with the gambling board.
Before you deposit money on a betting site, scroll to the bottom of its homepage. A bookmaker licensed in South Africa must show the name of the licensed operator, its licence details and the provincial gambling board that issued it, the South African Bookmakers' Association (Saba) said on 3 November, according to The Citizen.
If you can't find those details, Saba says treat it as a red flag.
Why does it matter which site you use?
Winnings from unlawful gambling can be taken from you. Saba CEO Sean Coleman pointed to section 16 of the National Gambling Act, under which a High Court can declare such winnings forfeited to the state (The Citizen).
Saba says more than R3 million in unlawful gambling winnings has reportedly been forfeited through the courts, including about R775,000 in the 2025/26 financial year and R2.3 million early in 2026/27 (The Citizen).
You also lose your safety net. With a licensed bookmaker there is a South African regulator to complain to if winnings aren't paid or your account is blocked. With an offshore site, Coleman said, getting help "can be much more difficult".
Does a Curaçao or Malta licence count?
No. Coleman said illegal sites can look legitimate, take deposits in rand, use a South African web address and even show licences from places like Curaçao or Malta. "An international gambling licence does not authorise an operator to offer gambling services in South Africa," he said (The Citizen). The operator needs a South African provincial licence.
How do you check a licence properly?
The licence text on a site is only a starting point, Saba says. Take the operator name and licence number from the footer, then confirm it with the board named there.
| Province | Regulator |
|---|---|
| Gauteng | Gauteng Gambling Board |
| Western Cape | Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board |
| KwaZulu-Natal | KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board |
| National oversight | National Gambling Board |
The other provinces have their own boards, and the National Gambling Board links to them.
Where can you get help with gambling?
November is Responsible Gambling Month. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation runs a free counselling line on 0800 006 008 (SARGF), and licensed operators must offer self-exclusion (Gauteng Gambling Board).
FAQ
Is online betting legal in South Africa?
Betting with a bookmaker that holds a South African provincial licence is legal. Saba says an offshore licence, such as one from Curaçao or Malta, does not authorise a site to operate in South Africa.
Can I lose my winnings from an illegal betting site?
Yes. Under section 16 of the National Gambling Act, a High Court can declare winnings from unlawful gambling forfeited to the state.
Where do I find a betting site's licence?
Licensed bookmakers must show the operator name, licence details and issuing provincial board, usually at the bottom of the homepage. Confirm them with that board.