The Limpopo Gambling Board (LGB) has secured another conviction in its efforts to combat illegal gambling, following a ruling by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court against an individual operating an unauthorized online gambling business in Polokwane’s central business district (CBD).

The establishment operated under the guise of an internet café while allegedly providing illegal online gambling services to members of the public. The accused was arrested on June 25, 2026, during a joint operation conducted by the LGB’s Law Enforcement Unit and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

During the operation, authorities confiscated 17 computers suspected of being used in the illegal gambling activities. Further investigations, conducted in consultation with the Department of Home Affairs, established that the accused was a foreign national whose immigration documentation had expired.

On October 22, 2026, the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court found the accused guilty and sentenced the individual to 12 months’ direct imprisonment, with no option of a fine. The LGB welcomed the conviction and sentence, describing the outcome as an important step in its ongoing efforts to enforce gambling laws and address illegal gambling operations across the province.

According to the Board, illegal gambling undermines the regulated gambling industry, deprives the province of potential revenue and diverts funds away from lawful economic activities. It also exposes participants to financial risks associated with unregulated operations, which do not provide the consumer protections available through legally authorized gambling services.

The LGB reaffirmed its commitment to identifying and shutting down illegal gambling establishments and ensuring that those responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the law. The conviction underscores the importance of cooperation between gambling regulators and law enforcement agencies in tackling unlawful gambling activities and protecting the integrity of South Africa’s regulated gaming sector.