Betting Vouchers via Mobile Networks: What the Minister Told Parliament

The question

Mr M Gana asked the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, in question NW5106 in the National Assembly, whether he "intends to put mechanisms in place to curb the gambling and betting vouchers bought through mobile network providers", and what safeguards his department requires from those providers "to ensure that minors are not able to access such vouchers".

Many of the bookmakers we cover take vouchers as a deposit method, as our vouchers page shows.

The answer

The reply, dated 6 October 2026, starts from who regulates what. Gambling is licensed under the National Gambling Act and provincial laws, and "where a mobile network or mobile platform is used merely as a channel through which a consumer purchases or accesses a betting or gambling voucher, this does not in itself make the underlying gambling product an electronic communications service regulated by ICASA."

The minister then states an intention: "I will therefore engage ICASA on what measures can appropriately be taken within its regulatory mandate where electronic communications networks and services are used to facilitate access to gambling and betting products." That includes looking at whether ICASA's existing consumer-protection measures are adequate.

On minors, the reply says that any safeguards for buying such vouchers "will depend on the manner in which the service is structured and whether it falls within ICASA's regulatory jurisdiction", and that the age at which a person may gamble remains a matter for gambling legislation.

What it means for you as a player

Nothing changes yet. The reply announces talks with ICASA, the communications regulator, not a new rule, and it names no date. Vouchers you buy today work as before, under the bookmaker's own terms.

Two things stay true whatever comes of it. Betting is for adults 18 and over, however the money reaches the account. And a voucher is still a deposit: set a limit before you buy one, and use a deposit limit if your bookmaker offers one.

If betting has stopped being fun, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation helpline 0800 006 008 is free; our responsible gambling page lists more ways to get help.