New National Lottery Operator to Be Announced After Court Blocks Ithuba Extension

South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is set to name a new National Lottery operator by Wednesday, 28 August 2025, following a significant court ruling that halted Minister Parks Tau’s attempt to temporarily extend the current operator’s licence. Ithuba Holdings, which has run the lottery since 2015, will step aside after a decision by the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg blocked an extension to its licence beyond 31 May 2025.

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The case was brought by Wina Njalo Proprietary Limited, one of the bidders in the current licensing process. Judge Sulet Potterill ruled that Tau’s delay in naming a new operator was unconstitutional and ordered that a new licence agreement must be negotiated no later than 28 May 2025. The judgment also granted a five-month suspension of the ruling to give the new operator time to prepare.

Minister’s Delays and Legal Fallou

The legal challenge stemmed from the Minister’s failure to act on the outcome of the bidding process, which had concluded by 31 August 2024. Despite internal advisory processes and concerns over the timeline, the Minister attempted to grant Ithuba a temporary extension—prompting legal intervention.

The court criticised the lack of transparency and the potential for operational disruption, siding with Wina Njalo’s concerns that any delay could jeopardise the continuity of the National Lottery and harm beneficiaries. The Minister, Ithuba, and the National Lotteries Commission were also ordered to pay Wina Njalo’s legal costs.

Transition to a New Operator Underway

A department spokesperson confirmed that eight companies had been shortlisted, although their identities remain confidential. The incoming operator will be tasked with acquiring infrastructure valued at hundreds of millions of rand and establishing operational capacity nationwide, including manufacturing and transportation systems.

Given the scale of the National Lottery and its social impact, this transition is expected to be extensive. As the government prepares to unveil the new operator in August, attention will turn to how well the incoming licensee can ensure continuity and public trust.

South African players interested in reputable gambling options can continue to find trusted platforms through our curated list of online casinos operating in South Africa, which remain unaffected by the changes to the National Lottery operator.

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