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.
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.