GAMING FOR AFRICA
South Africa’s Gambling Boom Raises Oversight Concerns as LPM Licences Top 3,000 Annually
South Africa’s gambling industry continues to expand at pace, with more than 3,000 licences issued annually - a trend that is increasingly drawing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators concerned about oversight and enforcement capacity. Recent parliamentary disclosures reveal that 3,135 gambling licences were granted in the 2024/25 financial year, following similarly high figures in the preceding years. The majority of these licences were awarded to limited payout machine (LPM) operators and bookmakers, underscoring the rapid growth of this segment within the broader market.
Licensing authority remains
decentralised, with provincial gambling boards responsible for regulating operators within their jurisdictions. Among the provinces, Gauteng led with the highest number of licences issued, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape — highlighting regional variations in market activity.
However, the steady rise in licences has sparked debate in Parliament, where
questions are being raised about whether regulatory systems are keeping pace. Concerns centre on the ability of authorities to enforce compliance with consumer protection standards, responsible gambling measures, and financial reporting requirements, particularly given disparities in resources across provinces. Enforcement challenges are further illustrated by policing data. Over the past five years, nearly 33,000 illegal gambling cases have been recorded, with almost all linked to land-based operations. By contrast, illegal online gambling cases remain strikingly low — a gap widely attributed to the complexities of tracking and prosecuting digital offences. Authorities point to the fluid nature of online platforms, where websites can be quickly created or taken down, complicating investigations and prosecutions. Legal hurdles, including disputes over search warrants, have also hindered successful enforcement in some cases.
As the sector grows, policymakers are calling for stronger coordination between
national and provincial regulators. Proposals under consideration include improved data-sharing systems, tighter post-licensing monitoring, and a broader review of the current regulatory framework. With the gambling landscape evolving rapidly, the challenge for South Africa will be ensuring that regulation evolves just as quickly - balancing industry growth with effective oversight and consumer protection.
Boardwalk Welcomes the Return of a Familiar Face
Boardwalk Hotel & Casino has announced that Sisulu Madondo has been appointed as the new General Manager from 1 March 2026.
The seasoned gaming and hospitality executive replaces Tati Tsunke who has re-joined his family in Johannesburg. Madondo began his 26-year career in gaming and hospitality as a trainee gaming technician at Sun International’s Morula Sun in the North West Province. Since then he has gained extensive experience that includes managing the Peermont Group’s Frontier Inn and Casino, and its Mmabatho Palms Hotel Casino Convention Resort. He returned to Sun International in 2022, first as the gaming manager at Meropa Casino in Limpopo, then as slots manager at Sibaya Casino in Durban in 2024. Over the years he served at a number of Sun International properties including Windmill Casino in Bloemfontein, and Carnival City in Gauteng.
But Madondo is quick to point out that he is no stranger to Boardwalk, or to Gqeberha, “I was part of the team that first launched Boardwalk Casino in
October 2000 so I am very excited to be back at this remarkable property in the friendly city. I lived here for 10 years before moving back to Johannesburg, and I consider my 10 years in Gqeberha to be the best years of my youth. It is such an honour and privilege for me to now be leading the Boardwalk team. “During my early years I was focused on gaming but before I could take on the responsibility of being a general manager I had to learn the hospitality business too. I look forward to working closely with the team at Boardwalk to improving the gaming and hospitality experience for guests. I am also looking forward to personally meeting our Most Valued Guests over the next few weeks.” In addition to holding a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering and a
B.Com, Madondo also completed the Executive Development Programme in gaming at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2025.
Madondo was named Best Performing General Manager by the Peermont Group in 2017, and Sun International Executive of the year in 2023.
APRIL 2026 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
