South Africa’s regulator dismisses ‘unsupported’ media claims about licensed operators’ whitelist

(AsiaGameHub) –   South Africa’s regulator, the National Gambling Board (NGB), has responded to public criticism of its newly launched whitelist portal for licensed operators.

The authority dismissed recent media reports questioning the accuracy of the portal—which was rolled out last month—as “speculative and unsupported.”

Specifically, the NGB addressed comments regarding the Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) section of the register, which includes gambling machines located outside traditional casinos in venues such as clubs, hotels, and pubs.

Although direct links to the media reports were not provided, SBC News understands that some LPMs marked as ‘closed’ were later verified as licensed, potentially causing confusion about their legal status.

“It is incorrect to assume that the word ‘CLOSED’ appearing next to an LPM licence indicates regulatory failure or unlawful gambling activity,” the NGB stated.

The regulator explained that the term ‘CLOSED’ may appear for various reasons, including temporary renovations, unpaid fees, ongoing disputes, or a short-term suspension of operations.

“Unless there is evidence that gambling continues unlawfully at these premises, claiming the register’s assurances are ‘false’ is speculative and lacks support.”

The NGB also refuted claims that the register excludes all online gambling operators, calling the assertion “inaccurate” given that online sports betting companies like Betway are clearly listed.

SBC News identified only one visible public comment on the register circulating online, originating from the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA).

While SABA’s statement was largely positive about the initiative, it urged the NGB to ensure the database is regularly updated so that new licensed operators are not disadvantaged by outdated information.

The Association pointed out that certain licenses issued by Provincial Licensing Authorities (PLAs) in March 2026 had not yet appeared in the register as of 9 April. For context, South Africa has nine PLAs responsible for issuing licenses within their respective regions, with the NGB database being populated by data from these authorities.

In conclusion, the NGB said: “We remain committed to collaborating with PLAs and other stakeholders to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve data management systems, and enhance public trust in South Africa’s regulated gambling sector.”