What is the National Gambling Board?

The National Gambling Board (NGB) is a national body established under the National Gambling Act 7 of 2004. It coordinates policy between the nine provincial gambling boards, maintains a national register of licences, and can investigate matters that cross provincial boundaries. The NGB doesn't directly licence bookmakers. That role belongs to each province's gambling board. But it sets the national framework that all provincial boards and operators must follow.

Can I bet on international sites from South Africa?

Technically, placing a bet with an unlicensed offshore operator isn't legal under South African law. The National Gambling Act prohibits interactive gambling on platforms that aren't licensed in South Africa. In practice, enforcement is directed at operators rather than individual bettors, but using an unlicensed site means you have no legal protection if the operator refuses to pay or closes your account.

What happens if a licensed bookmaker closes?

If a licensed operator ceases trading, the provincial gambling board that issued the licence oversees the wind-down process. Licensed bookmakers are required to keep player funds separate from operating funds, which means your balance should be protected even if the business becomes insolvent. The board administers any claims process.

How do I file a complaint against a bookmaker?

Start by submitting a formal complaint in writing to the bookmaker itself. Keep a record of all correspondence. If the bookmaker doesn't resolve the issue within a reasonable time, typically 7 to 14 days, escalate to the provincial gambling board that issued their licence. The board has the power to investigate complaints, impose fines, and in serious cases revoke the licence.

How to check a bookmaker licence in South Africa

A 4-step guide to confirming your bookmaker holds a current South African provincial gambling licence, plus what to look for in an operator footer and what happens if something goes wrong.

Written by Thabo Mokoena Editor Last reviewed: April 2026 Fact-checked by Lerato Dlamini

Start with the NGB portal. The National Gambling Board maintains a public list of verified operators at ngb.org.za/verified-operators. This is your fastest first check. Under the National Gambling Act 7 of 2004, only bookmakers licensed by a provincial gambling board can legally accept bets in South Africa. Unlicensed operators have no obligation to pay your winnings, honour bonus terms, protect your data, or respond to a complaint.

The 4-step licence check

Takes about five minutes. Each step independently confirms a different aspect of the licence. Run all four if you're depositing with a bookmaker you haven't used before.

Check the NGB Verified Operators portal

Go to ngb.org.za/verified-operators and search for the bookmaker's trading name or registered company name. The portal lists operators that the NGB has confirmed as holding a current provincial licence. If the operator doesn't appear, that's a significant concern, though the portal is not always real-time updated, so proceed to Step 2 to confirm.

What you'll see: Operator trading name, registered entity name, province of licence, and current status (active/suspended).

Find the licence number in the operator's footer

Scroll to the very bottom of the bookmaker's website. Every licensed SA bookmaker is required by the NGA to display its licence number, the name of the issuing provincial board, and ideally a link to the board's website. This information is typically shown in small text alongside the 18+ logo and responsible gambling statement.

Example of what a licensed operator footer looks like:

Licensed and regulated by the Gauteng Gambling Board | Licence no. GGB012345
Registered under the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Act | WCGRB Bookmaker Licence 98/01
If you see only a foreign licence ("Curacao eGaming", "MGA Malta", "Isle of Man") with no South African provincial board named, the operator is not licensed in South Africa.

Cross-check on the provincial board's public register

Once you have the licence number and the board's name from Step 2, visit that board's website directly (links in the table below). Most provincial boards publish a public register of licensed operators. Search for the licence number or the operator's trading name. Confirm the licence is current (not suspended or lapsed) and that the entity name matches what the operator claims.

If you can't find the public register: Call or email the board using the contacts below and ask them to confirm the licence number by name. This is public information and boards are required to provide it.

Check for red flags

Even with a licence displayed, confirm there are no red flags. A licence that was valid last year may have lapsed. An operator may display a licence number that belongs to a different entity.

✗ No licence number visible anywhere on the site or in T&Cs
✗ Only a foreign jurisdiction licence shown (Curacao, Malta, Isle of Man)
✗ No South African phone number, postal address, or registered company number
✗ No FICA/KYC verification required to deposit or withdraw
✗ Cryptocurrency-only deposits with no rand payment option
✗ Licence number found on the board's register but status shows "suspended" or "revoked"

If a licence check reveals a problem

Don't deposit. If you already have funds in an account with an operator whose licence you can't confirm:

Request an immediate withdrawal via the operator's normal process.
If the withdrawal is refused, contact the provincial gambling board named in the operator's footer. If no board is named, contact the NGB at info@ngb.org.za.
If you believe an unlicensed operator is actively accepting bets from South Africans, report them to the NGB. The NGB can refer the matter to SAPS and the SARS.

All 9 Provincial Gambling Board Contacts

Board	Phone	Email	Website
Gauteng Gambling Board	(011) 581 4800	info@ggb.org.za	www.ggb.org.za
Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board	021 480 7400	Info@wcgrb.co.za	www.wcgrb.co.za
KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board	031 305 1061	info@kzngbb.org.za	www.kzngbb.org.za
Eastern Cape Gambling Board	043 726 6028	info@ecgb.co.za	www.ecgb.co.za
Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority	051 404 7600	info@fsglta.fs.gov.za	www.fsglta.fs.gov.za
Limpopo Gambling Board	015 230 2300	info@lgb.org.za	www.lgb.org.za
Mpumalanga Economic Regulator	013 752 8099	info@mer.org.za	www.mer.org.za
North West Gambling Board	018 384 7766	info@nwgb.org.za	www.nwgb.org.za
Northern Cape Gambling Board	053 839 3800	info@ncgb.co.za	www.ncgb.co.za

Complaint escalation path

If you've verified a licence and something has still gone wrong with the operator, here's the escalation route.

Operator complaints team

Submit a written complaint with a reference number request. Allow 14 to 21 days for resolution.

Provincial Gambling Board

Lodge a formal complaint with the board that issued the operator's licence. Include your ID, account details, the dispute timeline, and all correspondence. Use the contacts in the table above.

National Gambling Board / National Consumer Commission / Court

NGB: info@ngb.org.za • NCC: ncc.gov.za • Small Claims Court for disputes under R20,000 (no lawyer required).

Every bookmaker reviewed on Tips holds a current South African provincial licence. The specific licence details for each operator are included in their individual reviews. For the full dispute guide, see player rights and disputes.

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