Politics · Other · 10 hrs ago
Malatsi says he will discuss mobile gambling safeguards with Icasa
South Africa’s communications minister, Solly Malatsi, has not announced new rules or a ban on gambling by mobile phone.
His written reply to a parliamentary question says he will discuss with communications regulator Icasa what it can do under its existing powers.
The question asked about betting vouchers bought through mobile networks and safeguards to prevent minors from buying them.
Gambling is governed by national and provincial gambling laws, with provincial boards licensing and supervising operators.
A lawyer warned that the communications minister cannot use telecoms rules to restrict access to gambling that is legally authorised, and that an attempt could face a court challenge.
Malatsi said a mobile network’s role as a channel for buying or accessing a voucher does not by itself make the gambling service an electronic communications service regulated by Icasa.
His reply did not specify what safeguards mobile operators currently must apply for minors.
The next step described is engagement with Icasa on measures within its existing mandate, including whether current consumer protections are adequate.
Communications minister Solly Malatsi says he will engage regulator Icasa on measures it could take when mobile networks facilitate access to gambling.
His reply says gambling laws, not telecommunications rules, provide the framework for licensing and regulating gambling.
Malatsi said any safeguards for gambling vouchers would depend on how the service is structured and whether it falls within Icasa’s jurisdiction.
Gambling attorney Wayne Lurie warned that using telecoms regulation to restrict legally authorised gambling could face a court challenge.
The minister’s reply does not specify what safeguards, if any, his department currently requires of mobile operators to prevent minors from buying vouchers.
- Who
- Communications minister Solly Malatsi and communications regulator Icasa.
- What
- Malatsi said he would discuss measures Icasa could take concerning gambling accessed through mobile networks.
- When
- Malatsi’s reply was dated 6 October; TechCentral published its report on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- South Africa.
- Why
- A parliamentary question asked about mobile gambling and betting vouchers, including safeguards to stop minors from buying them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Malatsi dated his written reply to a parliamentary question about gambling and betting vouchers bought through mobile network providers.
TechCentral published Lurie’s warning that restricting legally authorised gambling through telecommunications regulation could face a court challenge.
- Minister
- Solly Malatsi
- Regulator
- Icasa
- Reply date
- 6 October
- Parliamentary questioner
- Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana
- Relevant code
- Icasa’s code of conduct for premium-rated services was introduced in 2016
What people are saying
Accordingly, where a mobile network or mobile platform is used merely as a channel through which a consumer purchases or accesses a betting or gambling voucher, this does not in itself make the underlying gambling product an electronic communications service regulated by Icasa.
The minister has not announced a ban on gambling through mobile phones, and it would be incorrect to suggest otherwise. He is examining what Icasa can lawfully do within its existing powers.
A bet does not become unlawful simply because it is placed on a cellphone. Nor does the use of a mobile network give the communications minister the power to decide which gambling products South Africans may access.
Sources
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