SA Spina Zonke news
New launches, regulator updates, Jackpot Race prize pools, lobby changes. Written by Sipho Khumalo. Fact-checked by Nomvula Dube before publication.
Jackpot Race November 2026: 12 race nights, with R400,000 on 25 November
The Hollywoodbets Jackpot Race runs on 12 nights in November 2026, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 20:30 to 22:30. The biggest night is Wednesday 25 November at R400,000.
World Sports Betting apologises for promotion filmed in a Pretoria preschool classroom
Licensed bookmaker World Sports Betting has removed a promotional video filmed in a preschool classroom at Cornwall Hill College in Pretoria. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation called it a lapse in child safeguarding.
Responsible Gambling Month: bookmakers urge three licence checks, Limpopo takes its campaign to five districts
November is National Responsible Gambling Month. SA bookmakers are urging players to check a site's provincial licence before they deposit.
NGB annual report: R6.4 billion in gambling tax, 1.26 million helpline calls and 27 illegal sites blocked
The National Gambling Board's 2025/26 annual report shows R6.4 billion in gambling taxes and 1.26 million calls to the counselling helpline. It also records 35 raids and inspections and 27 illegal gambling websites blocked.
Limpopo court jails illegal gambling operator for 12 months with no option of a fine
The Polokwane Magistrate's Court has sentenced an illegal gambling operator to 12 months' direct imprisonment after a raid on an internet café. Regulators also took awareness drives on illegal and underage gambling to North West.
Online gambling tax: final design due in the February 2027 Budget
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says the final design of the proposed national online gambling tax will be announced in the February 2027 Budget. Consultations on the 20% proposal are still under way.
Hollywoodbets PLAY with KEVIN: Pragmatic Play free chip drops until 7 November
Hollywoodbets is running Pragmatic Play's PLAY with KEVIN promotion on its Pragmatic slots and six live casino games. Players collect letters on real-money bets to unlock a chest with free chips.
NGB: R84.5 billion gambling revenue in 2025/26 as stokvel savers turn to betting
National Gambling Board figures put gross gambling revenue at R84.5 billion in 2025/26, with R55.6 billion from online betting. A township survey says more than half of stokvel savers gambled under financial pressure.
Sun International launches a responsible gambling charter, with Betway on board
Sun International has published a 16-page responsible gambling charter for its casinos and online operations. It promises tighter advertising controls, measures on betting with grant money and outside audits of its player protection tools.
NGB warns that NSFAS and Sassa money is being spent on betting
The acting head of the National Gambling Board says some students are gambling NSFAS allowances and some grant recipients are betting money meant for basics. The board is drafting advertising norms and standards.
Solidarity report: online gambling in South Africa grew 390% from 2021 to 2025
A Solidarity Research Institute report says online gambling in South Africa grew by 390% between 2021 and 2025. It calls for tighter limits on betting adverts and stronger action against illegal online casinos.
Jackpot Race October 2026: 14 nights, R3 million, two R300,000 nights
The Hollywoodbets Jackpot Race runs on 14 nights in October 2026, with R3,000,000 in total. The opening and closing nights carry R300,000 each and the other twelve carry R200,000.
Communications minister to ask ICASA about online gambling safeguards
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi says he will engage ICASA on consumer safeguards for online gambling and on whether operators comply. Gambling licensing stays with the gambling regulators.
Illegal gambling task team makes first arrests, NGB seeks website blocking
The new Illegal Gambling Task Team made 13 arrests in Limpopo in August, and the NGB is looking for technology to block illegal gambling websites. Here is how to check your operator is licensed.
Hollywoodbets and Booming Games ran a R1 million slot tournament in September
Booming Games and Hollywoodbets paid R175,000 per phase across four September phases, scored on win-to-stake ratio rather than total stake. Here is how it worked and what to look for next time.
The proposed 20% national online gambling tax: what it could mean for players
National Treasury has proposed a 20% national tax on online gambling revenue, on top of provincial taxes. Operators would pay it, but welcome offers and promotions are where players may feel it.
Gates of Olympus 1000 explained: what changed from the original
Gates of Olympus 1000 is Pragmatic Play's 2023 sequel to Gates of Olympus. The grid and tumbles are the same; the multipliers go up to 1,000x and the max win to 15,000x your bet.