For the first time in over a decade, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) is moving to appoint members to the National Gambling Board. The board has operated without members since 2014, when its entire board of directors resigned shortly after the department placed it under administration.
The DTIC, led by Minister Parks Tau, recently advertised for applications to fill the vacant positions. Tau confirmed this during a parliamentary response to IFP MP Nhlanhla Hadebe on October 10, 2024. Several other key DTIC entities also have advertised vacancies.
A Decade of Administrative Oversight
The National Gambling Board oversees South African betting sites and gambling sector, ensuring compliance and assisting provinces in identifying unlicensed gambling operations. Despite its crucial role, the board has been under administration since 2014. Former Minister Rob Davies ordered the intervention after a forensic audit revealed maladministration and wasteful expenditure.
All board members resigned in late 2014, and the CEO stepped down earlier that year. Caroline Kongwa and Tumelo Baleni were appointed as joint administrators, but Baleni left in 2015. Kongwa remained in charge, eventually becoming chief strategic advisor in 2019, a role that did not previously exist.
Financial and Operational Scope
The gambling industry generated R59.3 billion in revenue for the year ending March 2024, with betting accounting for 60% of that total. Casinos contributed 29%. The board operates on an annual budget of approximately R280 million, according to its latest financial report.
Ongoing Investigations
In April, Minister Tau disclosed that forensic auditors had been tasked with investigating the board’s affairs. The probe initially focused on procurement related to the board’s new building, which it moved into in November 2023. Governance concerns involving remuneration and overseas travel have since been added to the investigation.
Tau assured Parliament that appropriate steps would be taken based on the investigation’s findings. A draft report is under internal review, but details, including the name of the forensic firm, have not been disclosed.
Broader Recruitment Efforts
The DTIC is also seeking to fill positions across other entities, including:
- Competition Tribunal members
- Export Credit Insurance Corporation board members
- National Lotteries Commission distributing agency members
- Various leadership roles in industrial, regulatory, and space affairs
This wide-ranging recruitment effort signals a broader focus on strengthening governance across DTIC-administered institutions.
Conclusion
The appointment of National Gambling Board members marks a critical step toward restoring governance and accountability within South Africa’s gambling industry. As investigations continue, the DTIC is expected to finalize appointments and provide clarity on the board’s future direction.
