South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) this week issued a public warning regarding a notable increase in illegal online gambling platforms and counterfeit betting applications targeting South African punters ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The Pretoria-based regulator expressed concern that the excitement surrounding major sporting events is frequently exploited by criminals to promote fraudulent betting schemes.
Illegal platforms targeting local punters
In a statement released on Monday, the NGB highlighted that global sporting events, such as the upcoming World Cup, traditionally see a rise in betting activity.
Criminal elements reportedly capitalise on this surge by distributing fake betting platforms designed to deceive consumers. Lungile Dukwana, acting CEO of the NGB, explained that these illegal operators use a variety of digital channels.
“Once payment is made, victims either lose communication with the operators or are pressured into making further payments. The illegal operators mainly target victims through Facebook advertisements, WhatsApp messages, Telegram groups, SMS push links, fake social media pages and mobile applications downloaded outside official app stores,” Dukwana said.
NGB warned that these fraudulent schemes mimic legitimate bookmakers by misappropriating names, logos and branding related to reputable operators. Users often see inflated account balances or fabricated wins after depositing funds. However, to withdraw these winnings, customers are then asked to pay various fees , including taxes, charges, or sums purporting to be for verification.
Commonly, once these additional payments are requested, the fake platforms vanish or customers are blocked from further communication.
Identifying licensed operators
To assist consumers in distinguishing legitimate services from scams, the NGB outlined several identifying features of lawful South African gambling operators:
- Operate exclusively through official websites with registered domain names;
- Clearly display their provincial gambling board licence information;
- Do not require taxes or fees to be paid before releasing winnings;
- Do not guarantee winnings nor promise unrealistic profits.
Guidance for participants
The regulator urged consumers to adopt cautious betting practices, especially during the World Cup period. Key advice included verifying legitimacy, avoiding clicking suspicious links and refraining from sharing sensitive personal information.
The NGB reminded the public that most licensed bookmakers operate solely through their official websites and do not disseminate their services via push notifications or unauthorised apps.
Illegal gambling proceeds obtained by unlicensed operators are subject to confiscation by authorities. However, the NGB warned that victims of scams generally have no legal recourse to reclaim lost funds. This situation poses compliance and reputational risks for legitimate businesses that may inadvertently support or promote rogue platforms.
The board directed businesses and consumers to the verified gambling operators portal, which maintains an up-to-date list of licensed operators in South Africa. The portal was set up earlier this year to combat illegal gambling activities.
The NGB recently hit back at complaints about the gambling portal, with some users expressing confusion and lack of accuracy around the platform. The NGB invited feedback from stakeholders to improve the portal’s usefulness and accuracy.
Public health risks of problem gambling
In addition to fraud concerns, the NGB highlighted the potential for increased problem gambling during the 2026 World Cup. Families and employers were urged to monitor for warning signs, such as chasing losses, borrowing money to gamble, neglecting work or social responsibilities and using gambling as a coping mechanism.
Responsible gambling messages emphasised the importance of setting betting budgets, avoiding gambling under the influence of substances and viewing betting as a form of entertainment rather than income.
“This sporting season can escalate risky gambling behaviour,” said Dukwana. “We encourage the public to remain vigilant and to educate family members, friends and communities about these scams. Illegal gambling platforms not only defraud consumers but also operate outside South African gambling laws and regulations.”
The NGB joins other regulatory boards in warning punters ahead of the World Cup. The KSA emphasised gambling advertisement rules in the month leading up to the event. The regulator reiterated existing prohibitions, including a ban on untargeted advertising and tight limits on sports sponsorship.
Kathryn Evans
Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.
