The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) of South Africa and the Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) have strengthened regional regulatory collaboration by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving lottery oversight, governance, and knowledge sharing. The agreement was formalized during the Tanzanian delegation’s benchmarking visit to Pretoria on 7 July, further advancing cooperation between African gaming regulators.
The MoU creates a structured framework for both institutions to exchange regulatory expertise, share operational insights, and collaborate on best practices that support transparent, responsible, and sustainable lottery management. The NLC said the agreement follows several months of discussions and reflects a shared commitment to enhancing regulatory effectiveness as Africa’s lottery sector continues to evolve.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NLC Commissioner Jodi Scholtz said the collaboration will help strengthen the regulatory systems of both organizations and promote higher governance standards across the lottery industry. She added that the agreement offers an opportunity for the two regulators to learn from each other’s experiences and address emerging challenges through continued institutional cooperation.
The NLC’s Executive Manager for Legal Services, Advocate Lesedi Boihang, highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships in achieving meaningful regulatory progress. He quoted a well-known African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” underscoring the value of collaboration in building stronger regulatory frameworks.
Beyond the formal signing, representatives from both organizations discussed developments shaping the lottery sector, including the growing adoption of digital lottery platforms. The discussions focused on how regulators can respond to technological innovation while maintaining consumer protection, compliance, and operational integrity.
Tintswalo Nkuna, the NLC Executive Manager for Regulatory Compliance, noted that digital participation has become an increasingly important channel for lottery players. She explained that consumers can purchase lottery tickets by registering through authorized websites or official mobile applications, reducing the need to visit physical retail outlets.
The MoU is expected to promote continuous information exchange, joint learning, and regulatory innovation between South Africa and Tanzania. Through this cooperation, both regulators aim to strengthen oversight capabilities, improve lottery governance, and ensure their regulatory approaches remain aligned with the rapidly changing gaming and lottery landscape across Africa.
