As betting increasingly shifts to digital platforms, South Africa is approaching a pivotal moment in determining how to tax the rapidly expanding online gambling industry, where bets are placed instantly and often anonymously.
The 2026 Budget, together with the National Treasury’s earlier discussion paper, reflects a clear policy intention that online gambling can no longer be deferred if the country’s tax system is to remain relevant in the digital economy.
The government is now considering a 20% national tax on gross gambling revenue (“GGR”) for online betting and interactive gambling. This would apply on top of existing provincial gambling taxes, which currently range between 6% and 9% for online betting, and 10% to 15% for casino gambling.
