The South African Bookmakers Association (SABA) has renewed its call for tougher enforcement against illegal online gambling operators, warning that unlicensed offshore platforms continue to undermine South Africa’s regulated betting market.

The association said stronger cooperation between gambling regulators, financial institutions, internet service providers, telecommunications companies, and law enforcement agencies is needed to curb the growth of illegal gambling websites and better protect consumers.

According to SABA, offshore operators that target South African players without obtaining local licences are creating an unfair competitive environment while depriving the government of tax revenue and weakening consumer safeguards.

SABA described illegal online gambling as one of the most significant challenges facing South Africa’s betting industry.

Research cited by the association suggests that millions of South Africans continue to access unlicensed offshore betting websites each year, allowing billions of rand in gambling revenue to flow outside the country’s regulated economy.

Because these operators are not licensed locally, they do not contribute to taxes, licensing fees, or responsible gambling programmes. SABA warned that this places compliant operators at a disadvantage and threatens the long-term sustainability of the regulated market.

To tackle the growing problem, SABA is encouraging authorities to adopt a broader range of technological and regulatory tools aimed at disrupting illegal gambling operations.

The association believes measures such as website blocking, payment restrictions, geofencing technology, IP and DNS blocking, and enhanced monitoring of financial transactions linked to illegal gambling could significantly reduce access to offshore operators.

SABA also called for closer collaboration between regulators, banks, payment processors, internet service providers, and law enforcement agencies to strengthen enforcement and improve the detection of illegal gambling networks.

SABA said protecting players is one of the main reasons for intensifying enforcement efforts.

Unlike licensed South African bookmakers, many offshore gambling operators operate outside the country’s regulatory framework and may not provide adequate responsible gambling measures or customer protections.

The association noted that customers using unlicensed platforms may not have access to self-exclusion programmes, dispute resolution mechanisms, or responsible gambling tools. There are also concerns that some illegal operators may fail to honour withdrawals or provide sufficient safeguards against fraud, identity theft, and other financial risks.

For this reason, SABA urged players to verify that any betting platform they use is licensed by one of South Africa’s recognised provincial gambling regulators before registering an account or placing a wager.

According to SABA, licensed bookmakers invest heavily in meeting South Africa’s regulatory requirements.

Operators must comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) obligations, pay taxes and licensing fees, and implement responsible gambling initiatives designed to protect players and promote safer betting practices.

The association argued that these compliance requirements help create a transparent and accountable gambling environment while supporting economic growth and public revenue. Allowing illegal operators to compete without meeting the same standards, it said, undermines the integrity of the regulated industry and discourages future investment.

SABA reiterated its commitment to working alongside regulators, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and technology providers to combat illegal online gambling more effectively.

The association believes that combining modern enforcement technologies with stronger regulatory oversight, financial monitoring, and consumer education will be essential to reducing illegal gambling activity and protecting South Africa’s licensed betting industry.

As online gambling continues to grow, SABA maintains that sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors will play a crucial role in preserving market integrity, strengthening consumer confidence, and ensuring a level playing field for licensed operators.