Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB). Last updated 2026-07-26.
The GGB licenses and regulates all gambling activity in Gauteng, which is the largest gambling market in South Africa by both operator count and turnover. Every major online bookmaker either holds a Gauteng licence directly or is licensed by another province and trades nationally.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Gauteng |
| Head office | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
| Telephone | +27 11 581 4600 |
| Enquiries | info@ggb.org.za |
| Established | 1997 |
| Governing Act | Gauteng Gambling Act 4 of 1995 (as amended) |
| Official site | www.ggb.org.za |
What the GGB does
The GGB licenses and regulates all gambling activity in Gauteng, which is the largest gambling market in South Africa by both operator count and turnover. Every major online bookmaker either holds a Gauteng licence directly or is licensed by another province and trades nationally.
- Issue and renew bookmaker, casino, bingo, LPM, and totalisator licences
- Investigate complaints against licensed Gauteng operators
- Enforce responsible gambling, self-exclusion, and problem-gambling programmes
- Publish quarterly and annual gambling revenue statistics for Gauteng
- Collect provincial gambling tax and levies
- Enforce FICA and anti-money-laundering compliance on licensees
Which operators it licenses
How to verify a GGB licence
- Open the GGB website at ggb.org.za.
- Navigate to 'Licensees' and select the licensee category.
- Search by operator name or licence number.
- Read the licence status, expiry date, and licensed trading names (some operators hold multiple trading names under one licence).
- Cross-check the licence number against the number in the operator's website footer.
If the licence number in the operator footer does not match the GGB register, do not deposit. Use our licence verifier for a quick cross-check.
Fees, taxes, and levies
Bookmaker licence application fees in Gauteng are among the highest in the country, reflecting the province's market size. Renewal fees are annual and scaled to turnover. Provincial gambling tax on bookmaker gross gaming revenue is set by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and is reviewed each budget cycle.
Recent enforcement and policy
- 2026. GGB updated online betting licence conditions to require biometric FICA for accounts opened via mobile app.
- 2025. Enforcement action against multiple unlicensed operators trading in Gauteng under offshore brands, following a joint investigation with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
Frequently asked questions
Which national bookmakers are Gauteng-licensed?
World Sports Betting is Gauteng-licensed (licence number RAN004, per the National Gambling Board verified-operators register). Many operators that were historically Gauteng-licensed have since migrated their primary licence to the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator; always verify against the operator's own footer.
How do I complain about a Gauteng bookmaker?
Complaints are lodged in writing at [email protected]. Include the operator name, licence number, your account number, and any screenshots relevant to the dispute.
Does the GGB regulate online casinos?
No. Online casino gambling remains prohibited nationally under the National Gambling Act. The GGB licenses land-based casinos, bookmakers who may offer online sports betting, and LPMs. Online slots and table games remain illegal to offer to South African residents.
How do I check if a bookmaker is licensed in Gauteng?
Use the GGB licensee search at ggb.org.za. Cross-check the licence number against the number displayed in the operator's own website footer. If they do not match, do not deposit.
Are horse racing meetings in Gauteng also regulated by the GGB?
Yes. Turffontein and Vaal race meetings fall under GGB oversight, alongside the National Horseracing Authority for racing-specific rules.
Related pages
- Verify a bookmaker licence
- World Sports Betting review
- Mpumalanga Economic Regulator
- Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board