Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB). Last updated 2026-07-26.

Q: How do I complain about a Western Cape bookmaker?

Complaints are lodged in writing with the WCGRB via wcgrb@wcgrb.co.za. Include the operator name, licence number, your account number (never your password), and copies of any relevant screenshots.

Written by Nigel Crouse, Fact-checked by Brad Mostert. Last updated 2026-07-26.

The WCGRB licenses and regulates all forms of gambling and horse racing in the Western Cape, including bookmakers, casinos, limited payout machines, bingo, and totalisators. It is the province of licence for several major national operators, including some that trade across all nine provinces.

Key facts

Jurisdiction	Western Cape
Head office	Cape Town, Western Cape
Telephone	+27 21 480 7400
Enquiries	wcgrb@wcgrb.co.za
Established	1996
Governing Act	Western Cape Gambling and Racing Act 4 of 1996 (as amended)
Official site	www.wcgrb.co.za

What the WCGRB does

Issue and renew bookmaker, casino, LPM, bingo, and totalisator licences
Investigate complaints against licensed Western Cape operators
Enforce responsible gambling regulations, including self-exclusion
Publish quarterly and annual gambling statistics for the province
Maintain the register of licensed key employees
Enforce anti-money-laundering and FICA compliance on licensees

Which operators it licenses

How to verify a WCGRB licence

Open the WCGRB website at wcgrb.co.za.
Navigate to 'Licensees' and select the licensee category (Bookmaker, Casino, Totalisator, etc.).
Search by operator or licence number.
Confirm the operator's status is 'Active' and the licence has not expired.
Cross-check the licence number against the number displayed in the operator's own website footer.

If the licence number in the operator footer does not match the WCGRB register, do not deposit. Use our licence verifier for a quick cross-check.

Fees, taxes, and levies

Bookmaker licence application fees start at around R25,000 with annual renewal fees scaled to turnover. The board also collects gambling tax and levies for the provincial fiscus; the current rate for bookmaker gross gaming revenue is set by provincial regulation and reviewed annually.

Recent enforcement and policy

2026. WCGRB published updated bookmaker licence conditions covering online mobile deposits and biometric FICA.
2025. Enforcement action against an unnamed LPM operator for licence-condition breaches, resulting in a suspension pending remediation.

Frequently asked questions

Which national bookmakers are licensed in the Western Cape?

Sunbet holds its primary bookmaker licence with the WCGRB (licence number 10138713-016). Gbets is WCGRB-licensed (10179096-014), as is Topbet (10190445-004). Betway holds a secondary WCGRB licence for the Raging River Trading entity (10181496-012) alongside its Mpumalanga primary. Verify each in the WCGRB licensee register at wcgrb.co.za.

How do I complain about a Western Cape bookmaker?

Complaints are lodged in writing with the WCGRB via [email protected]. Include the operator name, licence number, your account number (never your password), and copies of any relevant screenshots.

How long does WCGRB licence renewal take?

Renewals are annual. Operators must submit renewal applications with audited financials and updated compliance evidence at least 90 days before expiry.

Does the WCGRB oversee online casinos?

Online casino gambling is prohibited nationally under the National Gambling Act. The WCGRB licenses land-based casinos, bookmakers who may operate online sports betting, and LPMs. Online slots and table games remain illegal to offer to South African residents.

Is horse racing regulated by the WCGRB?

Yes. The WCGRB is the racing regulator for the Western Cape, including race meetings held at Kenilworth Racecourse and Durbanville.

Reviewed by our compliance desk. Sources: WCGRB official site, National Gambling Act 7 of 2004, and operator licence footers verified on 2026-07-26. See our Sources Used page for the full list.