Mobile betting vouchers under fire as South African gambling turnover reaches R1.5 trillion

The issue was raised in a written parliamentary reply to a question from Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana. Gana asked whether the minister intended to introduce measures to curb the sale of gambling and betting vouchers through mobile network providers, and what safeguards were in place to prevent minors from accessing them.

The parliamentary exchange comes against the backdrop of a sharp overall figure for gambling activity in South Africa. The National Gambling Board reported that gambling turnover reached R1.5 trillion in the 2024/25 financial year.

Minister to discuss mobile network safeguards with ICASA

Malatsi said he would engage ICASA on measures that could be taken within the regulator’s mandate when electronic communications networks and services are used to facilitate access to gambling and betting products.

“I will therefore engage ICASA on what measures can appropriately be taken within its regulatory mandate where electronic communications networks and services are used to facilitate access to gambling and betting products,” Malatsi said.

He said the discussions would include an assessment of whether existing consumer-protection measures within ICASA’s regulatory framework were adequate, as well as whether further interventions might be warranted.

The proposed engagement does not amount to an announcement of new rules. Instead, it points to a review of how existing communications regulation applies when mobile networks or related platforms are used to purchase or access gambling vouchers.

Mobile access does not automatically place gambling under ICASA

Malatsi said the National Gambling Act of 2004, together with provincial gambling legislation, provides the regulatory framework for gambling and betting activities.

However, the use of a mobile network or platform to purchase or access a gambling voucher does not automatically mean that the gambling product becomes an electronic communications service regulated by ICASA.

This distinction is central to the issue. A mobile network may provide the channel through which a person accesses a voucher, but the gambling product itself remains subject to the laws and regulatory arrangements that govern gambling. Whether ICASA has a role in a particular service depends on how that service is structured and whether it falls within the authority’s jurisdiction.

That means any response is likely to require careful consideration of the relationship between gambling regulation, communications regulation and consumer protection. It also means that a single approach may not apply to every voucher or service offered through a mobile network.

Safeguards for minors will depend on the service

Gana’s question specifically highlighted the risk of minors accessing gambling and betting vouchers. In response, Malatsi said the safeguards applying to a particular service would depend on how it is structured and whether it falls within ICASA’s regulatory jurisdiction.

“Any specific safeguards applicable to the purchase of gambling or betting vouchers will therefore depend on the manner in which the service is structured and whether it falls within ICASA’s regulatory jurisdiction,” Malatsi said.

He added that the age at which a person may lawfully participate in gambling remains governed by applicable gambling legislation and regulation.

The response therefore places age-related requirements within the existing gambling regulatory framework, while leaving open the question of what additional measures may be appropriate where mobile communications services are used to facilitate access.

Why the debate matters

Mobile access can make a service easier to reach, particularly when a person can use an existing communications account or platform to obtain a betting voucher. That convenience also raises practical questions about how age checks, consumer information and protections against harmful use are applied at the point of access.

These questions are especially significant when gambling activity is accessible through services used by a wide range of people. Effective safeguards need to reflect both the nature of the gambling product and the way it is delivered, while making clear which regulator is responsible for each part of the process.

The concerns also extend beyond individual transactions. Gambling addiction can affect vulnerable people and households, making consumer protection an important part of the policy discussion. The reported R1.5 trillion turnover figure has added weight to calls for closer attention to how gambling products are accessed and marketed.

At this stage, Malatsi has committed to engaging ICASA rather than announcing a specific restriction on mobile betting vouchers. The outcome of those discussions could help clarify whether existing consumer-protection measures are sufficient or whether further action is needed within the communications regulator’s mandate.

Existing gambling laws remain applicable

For now, the legal position described by the minister is that gambling and betting activities remain governed by the National Gambling Act and provincial gambling legislation. The use of a mobile network to access a voucher does not, by itself, change that position.

Any future measures will therefore depend on the details of the service involved, the boundaries of ICASA’s regulatory authority and the protections already required under gambling law. The central issue is how to ensure that the convenience of mobile access does not weaken safeguards intended to protect consumers and prevent unlawful participation by minors.