National Gambling Amendment Bill: Revised Version Before National Assembly

Posted 21 July 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Parliament

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The National Assembly is set to deliberate on the ‘D’ version of the National Gambling Amendment Bill, marking a significant step toward finalising legislation that has been in the parliamentary process since 2018.

In terms of Joint Rule 138 of the Joint Rules of Parliament, the Bill was referred to a mediation committee after the National Assembly rejected changes proposed by the National Council of Provinces in December 2021. The mediation committee, established in May 2025, has held six closed meetings to resolve the impasse, resulting in the current ‘D’ version tabled for adoption.

The National Gambling Amendment Bill was originally introduced in August 2018. However, the scope of the Bill was subsequently narrowed by the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry to focus on technical governance issues rather than substantive industry changes. The revised Bill aims to address existing governance challenges within the regulatory framework by:

  • Repurposing the National Gambling Board into a National Gambling Regulator (NGR);
  • Enhancing the governance and operational efficiency of the national regulatory body; and
  • Addressing specific technical gaps identified in the National Gambling Act, No. 7 of 2004.

Substantive issues previously associated with the legislative overhaul—including the regulation of horse racing, dog racing, electronic bingo terminals, betting on lottery results, and online gaming—were excluded from this specific amendment cycle. These matters were referred for consideration in subsequent parliamentary sessions to allow for more effective interrogation and public consultation.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; impact is channelled through professional advisory roles regarding the restructuring of the national gambling regulatory authority.
  • For your business: Compliance officers must prepare for a transition in regulatory oversight as the National Gambling Board is replaced by the National Gambling Regulator (NGR), which may involve updated reporting lines and administrative procedures.
  • For your clients: Advise clients in the gambling and hospitality sectors that this Bill focuses on governance; substantive regulatory changes regarding online gaming and electronic bingo remain deferred and are not part of this immediate legislative update.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/national-gambling-amendment-bill-update-revised-version-tabled-for-adoption

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