South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) is preparing to introduce new restrictions on influencer-led gambling advertising as online betting expands nationwide, according to iGamingToday. Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana said the regulator aims to reduce youth exposure to gambling content and curb misleading claims that present betting as aspirational or risk-free.
The NGB plans to limit advertising during hours when minors are likely to be online and restrict operators from hiring influencers whose audiences consist mainly of young people. Dukwana said operators must also comply with licensing conditions that prevent promotion outside of their approved provincial boundaries.
Gross gaming revenue in South Africa rose 25.7% year-on-year to R59.3 billion (€2.9 billion) in 2023/24, driven by the growth of mobile betting since the pandemic. Dukwana noted that this shift has attracted younger users and low-income players, prompting the board to work with universities and technical colleges on education campaigns about gambling risks.
Research and Consumer Impact
The regulator’s focus on influencer content follows cases of financial harm linked to online betting. In one report, an 18-year-old student lost R150,000 (€7,350) after being influenced by ads portraying gambling as “easy and fun.”
Studies conducted by the NGB and academic partners show that early exposure to gambling promotions can lead to debt and addiction, with 13% of surveyed individuals reporting gambling-related strain within their households.
Enforcement Against Offshore Operators
Alongside advertising concerns, the NGB continues to pursue offshore operators that provide unlicensed services in South Africa, according to CDC Gaming Reports. Working with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, internet service providers and the Department of Communications, the regulator has blocked 23 out of 90 identified illegal gambling sites.
Dukwana said enforcement remains difficult, as operators frequently change IP addresses to avoid detection. He called for amendments to Section 11 of the National Gambling Act to improve digital enforcement and reflect current market dynamics. The NGB intends to present its proposals to the National Gambling Policy Committee later this month.
Sweden Targets Influencers in Illegal Gambling Campaign
Meanwhile, Swedish regulators earlier this year intensified efforts to prevent influencers from promoting unlicensed gambling operators, according to iGamingExpert. The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, launched supervision against several influencers who marketed illegal gambling through channels such as Twitch.
The promotion of unlicensed gambling to Swedish consumers is prohibited under the country’s Gambling Act. Spelinspektionen said its operational plan this year prioritizes “young people’s gambling and illegal gambling.” Following regulatory action, the influencers involved stopped marketing the operators in question.
Broader Global Moves
Streaming platforms have also implemented policy changes. YouTube updated its guidelines to prohibit the promotion of “unapproved” gambling websites, defined as sites that do not meet local requirements or have not been reviewed by Google. Twitch banned the streaming of gambling sites not licensed in the U.S. or jurisdictions with “sufficient consumer protection,” but does not currently prevent influencers from promoting such sites through advertisements.
For agencies and creators operating in gambling-related campaigns, these developments signal heightened scrutiny across multiple markets. Regulators are increasingly prioritizing youth protection and responsible advertising practices. Restrictions on influencer partnerships may affect how brands structure their campaigns.
At the same time, platform-level policy updates by YouTube and Twitch indicate that enforcement is not limited to regulators. Creators working with gambling operators must consider both compliance with national laws and the platforms’ guidelines.
As online betting continues to expand globally, advertising standards are likely to remain under review. Regulators across multiple regions have made clear that influencer-led gambling promotions are facing growing oversight, with youth exposure and illegal operators as the central points of concern.
Karina loves writing about the influencer marketing space and an area she is passionate about. She considers her faith and family to be most important to her. If she isn’t spending time with her friends and family, you can almost always find her around her sweet pug, Poshna.
South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) is preparing to introduce new restrictions on influencer-led gambling advertising as online betting expands nationwide, according to iGamingToday. Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana said the regulator aims to reduce youth exposure to gambling content and curb misleading claims that present betting as aspirational or risk-free.
The NGB plans to limit advertising during hours when minors are likely to be online and restrict operators from hiring influencers whose audiences consist mainly of young people. Dukwana said operators must also comply with licensing conditions that prevent promotion outside of their approved provincial boundaries.
Gross gaming revenue in South Africa rose 25.7% year-on-year to R59.3 billion (€2.9 billion) in 2023/24, driven by the growth of mobile betting since the pandemic. Dukwana noted that this shift has attracted younger users and low-income players, prompting the board to work with universities and technical colleges on education campaigns about gambling risks.
Research and Consumer Impact
The regulator’s focus on influencer content follows cases of financial harm linked to online betting. In one report, an 18-year-old student lost R150,000 (€7,350) after being influenced by ads portraying gambling as “easy and fun.”
Studies conducted by the NGB and academic partners show that early exposure to gambling promotions can lead to debt and addiction, with 13% of surveyed individuals reporting gambling-related strain within their households.
Enforcement Against Offshore Operators
Alongside advertising concerns, the NGB continues to pursue offshore operators that provide unlicensed services in South Africa, according to CDC Gaming Reports. Working with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, internet service providers and the Department of Communications, the regulator has blocked 23 out of 90 identified illegal gambling sites.
Dukwana said enforcement remains difficult, as operators frequently change IP addresses to avoid detection. He called for amendments to Section 11 of the National Gambling Act to improve digital enforcement and reflect current market dynamics. The NGB intends to present its proposals to the National Gambling Policy Committee later this month.
Sweden Targets Influencers in Illegal Gambling Campaign
Meanwhile, Swedish regulators earlier this year intensified efforts to prevent influencers from promoting unlicensed gambling operators, according to iGamingExpert. The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, launched supervision against several influencers who marketed illegal gambling through channels such as Twitch.
The promotion of unlicensed gambling to Swedish consumers is prohibited under the country’s Gambling Act. Spelinspektionen said its operational plan this year prioritizes “young people’s gambling and illegal gambling.” Following regulatory action, the influencers involved stopped marketing the operators in question.
Broader Global Moves
Streaming platforms have also implemented policy changes. YouTube updated its guidelines to prohibit the promotion of “unapproved” gambling websites, defined as sites that do not meet local requirements or have not been reviewed by Google. Twitch banned the streaming of gambling sites not licensed in the U.S. or jurisdictions with “sufficient consumer protection,” but does not currently prevent influencers from promoting such sites through advertisements.
For agencies and creators operating in gambling-related campaigns, these developments signal heightened scrutiny across multiple markets. Regulators are increasingly prioritizing youth protection and responsible advertising practices. Restrictions on influencer partnerships may affect how brands structure their campaigns.
At the same time, platform-level policy updates by YouTube and Twitch indicate that enforcement is not limited to regulators. Creators working with gambling operators must consider both compliance with national laws and the platforms’ guidelines.
As online betting continues to expand globally, advertising standards are likely to remain under review. Regulators across multiple regions have made clear that influencer-led gambling promotions are facing growing oversight, with youth exposure and illegal operators as the central points of concern.