Key facts (as of 29 October 2026)
- South Africa: the National Gambling Board and nine Provincial Gambling Boards. Online sports betting is licensed by provincial boards under bookmaker licences, and some boards let bookmakers offer casino-style games. Licensees are accountable institutions under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (ICLG).
- Nigeria: on 22 November 2024 the Supreme Court struck down the National Lottery Act 2005, holding that lottery and related matters belong to state Houses of Assembly. The suit was brought by Lagos and other states (Channels Television).
- Kenya: the Gambling Control Act, 2025 came into force on 26 August 2025. It replaced the Betting Control and Licensing Board with a Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). Applicants need at least 30% of shares held by Kenyan citizens and a local bank account for all gambling monies (Bowmans).
- Kenya tax: from 1 July 2025 excise duty on betting and gaming changed from 15% of the amount staked to 5% of the amount deposited into a customer's betting or gaming wallet, remitted within 24 hours of the close of each day's transactions (Kenya Revenue Authority).
Comparison table
| Country | Regulator | Online model | Tax | Payment or AML point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | National Gambling Board; nine Provincial Gambling Boards | Online sports betting under provincial bookmaker licences; casino-style games where the board allows | Bookmakers generally about 6.5% of GGR; casinos 10–15% (provincial) | Licensees are accountable institutions under FICA |
| Nigeria | State regulators (lottery and gaming are state matters after the Supreme Court ruling) | State by state | Not covered here | Check which state licences the operator |
| Kenya | Gambling Regulatory Authority (replaced the BCLB) plus county permits for premises | Separate online bookmaker, lottery and casino licences | Excise 5% of wallet deposits | Local bank account for gambling monies; credit to players is an offence |
South Africa
| Point | Detail (ICLG) |
|---|---|
| Regulators | National Gambling Board and nine Provincial Gambling Boards |
| Licensing | Provincial boards issue licences in the province where the applicant is primarily based; extensive probity; five to 12 months; fees differ by province |
| Online casino | Not licensed nationally. Some boards, led by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, let bookmakers offer casino-style games; others do not |
| Tax | Bookmakers generally about 6.5% of GGR; casinos 10% to 15%, by province |
| AML | Gambling, betting and lottery licensees are accountable institutions under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 38 of 2001 |
| Reform | A private member's bill to license online casinos, poker and betting exchanges nationally stalled when its sponsor became a minister after the May 2024 election, and was then taken up by another member |
NoteThe South African position on casino-style games is based on a law-firm guide (ICLG) and depends on the province. Check the specific board's rules.
Nigeria
The Supreme Court held that the National Assembly lacked power to pass the National Lottery Act 2005 because lottery matters belong to the states (case SC/1/2008, filed by Lagos and other states). An operator serving Nigerian players therefore needs to show licensing by the relevant state regulator.
WarningHow this ruling applies to the Federal Capital Territory, and how state and federal regimes interact in practice, was not confirmed from primary sources this pass. Take Nigerian legal advice.
Kenya
| Point | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Gambling Control Act, 2025: enacted 7 August 2025, in force 26 August 2025 | Bowmans |
| Regulator | Gambling Regulatory Authority, replacing the BCLB; counties issue trade permits for premises | Bowmans |
| Transition | Pending licence applications were suspended; transition due to finish by end of February 2026; regulations to follow | Bowmans |
| Ownership | Applicant must be a body corporate with at least 30% of shares held by Kenyan citizens | Bowmans |
| Banking | Local bank account in Kenya for all gambling monies | Bowmans |
| Online licences | Separate online bookmaker, online lottery and online casino licences; approved gambling control system covering payments and AML; real-time monitoring; customer care centre in Kenya | Bowmans |
| Platform providers | "Remote platform authorisation" for entities running the technology, including systems that process payments and bets | Bowmans |
| Foreign operators | Must be registered in Kenya with a physical address | Bowmans |
| Penalties | Unlicensed gambling: fine up to KES 50m. Offences include giving credit to players | Bowmans |
| Excise duty | 5% of deposits into a betting or gaming wallet (was 15% of stakes), from 1 July 2025; remitted within 24 hours | KRA |
flowchart LR
P[Player deposits KES 1000 into a betting wallet] --> X[Excise 5 percent is KES 50]
X --> R[Operator remits to KRA within 24 hours]
P --> B[Funds held in a Kenyan bank account]The figures in the diagram are illustrative.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 22 November 2024 | Nigeria Supreme Court strikes down the National Lottery Act 2005 |
| 1 July 2025 | Kenya excise moves to 5% of wallet deposits |
| 7 August 2025 | Kenya Gambling Control Act enacted |
| 26 August 2025 | Kenya Act in force |
| End of February 2026 | Kenya transition period scheduled to end |
Q/A
Does a Kenyan PSP need its own gambling authorisation?
Possibly. The Act provides for a "remote platform authorisation" that covers systems processing payments and bets (Bowmans). Detailed regulations were still expected; check their current status.
Is online casino legal in South Africa?
Not under a national online casino licence. Some provincial boards let licensed bookmakers offer casino-style games, so the answer depends on the province (ICLG).
Who licenses betting in Lagos after the Supreme Court ruling?
The ruling put lottery and related matters with the states, and Lagos was one of the plaintiffs. Check the Lagos State regulator's register.
Sources
- ICLG, Gambling Laws and Regulations: South Africa (secondary): https://iclg.com/practice-areas/gambling-laws-and-regulations/south-africa/
- Channels Television, "Supreme Court nullifies National Lottery Act" (22 November 2024), secondary: https://www.channelstv.com/2024/11/22/supreme-court-nullifies-national-lottery-act/
- Bowmans, "Kenya: The Gambling Control Act, 2025 – key provisions" (16 December 2025), law-firm note: https://bowmanslaw.com/insights/kenya-the-gambling-control-act-2025-key-provisions/
- Kenya Revenue Authority, adjustment of excise duty rates by the Finance Act, 2025: https://www.kra.go.ke/news-center/public-notices/2237-adjustment-of-excise-duty-rates-for-excisable-goods-and-services-by-the-finance-act,-2025
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