The National Treasury has released a draft paper proposing a national tax on online gambling and is inviting public comment before final decisions are made.
The proposal introduces a 20% tax on gross online gambling revenue, covering all forms of interactive betting and sitting above existing provincial taxes.
Treasury says the document “provides an overview of the gambling industry… and proposes a new national online gambling tax for South Africa.”
With online gambling growing quickly due to better technology and internet access, the Treasury warns that the sector now carries serious social risks.
While casual gambling is harmless, it notes that “problem gambling imposes a cost on society,” and stronger oversight is needed to manage these impacts.
The discussion paper can be viewed on the Treasury website. Written submissions must be sent to [email protected] by 30 January 2026.
