Betway Africa Defies National Gambling Board Order, Keeps Online Casino Live

Betway Africa has vowed to continue offering online casino games in South Africa, brushing aside a directive from the National Gambling Board (NGB) ordering all bookmakers to halt slots, roulette, and other casino-style products immediately.

The standoff stems from a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling last month that struck down the Gauteng Gambling Board’s prior approval of interactive casino games, declaring such offerings illegal under the National Gambling Act. 

The NGB swiftly instructed all nine provincial regulators to enforce the decision, threatening non-compliant operators with fines, imprisonment, and seizure of player payouts.

Yet as of November 4, Betway’s virtual slots and table games remained fully accessible to South African customers. A company spokesperson described the court’s decision as “a narrow procedural ruling” that does not amount to a blanket nationwide ban.

“Betway is licensed and regulated in multiple provinces and remains committed to delivering a safe, responsible betting experience,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We are engaging constructively with authorities to clarify the legal framework and ensure continuity of service within existing boundaries.”

Industry watchers say the dispute exposes long-standing tensions between national oversight and provincial autonomy in South Africa’s R45-billion gambling sector. Provincial boards have historically issued separate interactive licenses, creating a patchwork of rules that the NGB has struggled to harmonise.

Betway, owned by Super Group, operates under licenses from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, and others. None have publicly signalled plans to suspend the company’s casino products since the Supreme Court verdict.

The NGB declined to comment on potential enforcement actions against individual operators but reiterated that “all forms of interactive casino games fall outside the scope of lawful remote gambling in South Africa.”

Players logged on to Betway’s platform this week reported no interruptions to casino play, with promotions for free spins and cashback bonuses still prominently displayed.

The impasse leaves thousands of South African punters in limbo. At the same time, bookmakers weigh the risks of defying the national regulator against the revenue, estimated at 15–20% of total turnover, generated by online casino verticals.

Betway says it will provide updates “as soon as regulatory clarity is achieved.”