National Gambling Board: A New Board, the First Since 2014

What was announced

In a media release dated 9 October 2026, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) wrote that Minister Parks Tau "has welcomed Cabinet's concurrence on the appointment of the Board of the National Gambling Board (NGB) in September 2026." The NGB published the release on its own site on 12 October 2026.

The minister called it "a significant milestone for the Department as the NGB has operated without a Board since 2014." The release says the board will build on the work of the NGB's executive under its Acting Chief Executive Officer, Lungile Dukwana.

Who sits on it

The board is chaired by Dr Makgathatso Charlotte Chana Pilane-Majake, a former Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, with Kganki Matabane, Chief Executive Officer of the Black Business Council, as deputy chairperson.

The release lists seven other members: Chuma Fani, Silochini Pillay, Zoleka Gloria Bula, Milton Ntwana, Niklasina Maria (Niki) Kruger, Khayalethu Ntimbela and Sizakele Magangoe.

What the minister expects of it

According to the release, the board will support the NGB in its mandate under the National Gambling Act, 2004, "including addressing illegal gambling, investigating unlawful winnings, monitoring compliance by provincial licensing authorities, market share and market conduct, as well as the risks and socio-economic impact of gambling".

The minister also said: "The Board is appointed at the time when there is excessive gambling in society, including online, and it is expected that this challenge and many others will receive more concerted attention." He expects it to balance the socio-economic impact of gambling against the protection of society from its harmful effects.

In September 2026 the NGB and the Advertising Regulatory Board announced a memorandum of understanding on gambling advertising; our post on that agreement explains what it covers.

What it means for you as a player

In our reading, nothing changes for players today: a board sets direction and oversight, it does not change the rules by itself. The minister's release names what he wants the board to give attention to: illegal gambling, excessive gambling (online included) and the harm gambling does.

The step that protects you stays the same: before you sign up, check that the bookmaker holds a licence from a South African provincial board. Our licence check guide shows how, and every review on this site gives the licence the brand states, or says plainly when a brand is not licensed by a South African board.

If gambling 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.