The Polokwane Magistrate's Court sentenced an illegal gambling operator to 12 months' direct imprisonment, with no option of a fine, on Thursday 22 October, according to iGaming Afrika. The Limpopo Gambling Board (LGB) welcomed the ruling as a strong deterrent.
The case
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 25 June 2026 | LGB law enforcement and SAPS raid premises in the Polokwane CBD run as an internet café |
| Raid | 17 computer workstations used for online wagering seized |
| After the raid | Home Affairs checks find the accused was living and trading on expired immigration documents |
| 22 October 2026 | 12 months' direct imprisonment, no option of a fine |
The timeline is from iGaming Afrika. "Members of the public who participate in illegal gambling also risk losing their money through unregulated operations that do not provide the protection associated with legally authorised gambling," the LGB said.
Why internet cafés
Illegal venues often look like ordinary internet cafés, with touchscreen terminals instead of slot cabinets and software on foreign servers, according to LGB research cited by iGaming Afrika. Customers may assume they are licensed. They are not, and there is no dispute process if a payout goes missing.
Awareness drives in North West
The NGB, the North West Gambling Board and CoGTA community development workers took awareness drives on illegal and underage gambling to the Huhudi taxi rank in Vryburg, the Sarafina community in Potchefstroom and Colinda Senior Secondary School, iGaming Afrika reported. The message to learners: gambling is for adults aged 18 and over, and it is not a way to earn a living.
What it means for you
If a venue or site cannot show a provincial licence, walk away. Check the name on the NGB verified operators list and stick to the licensed operators covered in our legal guide. You can report illegal gambling to your provincial gambling board. If you or someone at home is struggling, the helpline is 0800 006 008, free, 24 hours a day.