SA’s online gambling crisis: Weak enforcement undermines government authority:
Online gambling is illegal in South Africa, yet international casinos still manage to pull in local players with little pushback. Players know there’s no real risk of getting in trouble and that makes the ban feel more like a suggestion than a rule.
This not only undermines the law but also makes the government look powerless, especially amid all the political challenges we are facing, including corruption.
The National Gambling Act of 2004 bans online casinos outright. It’s clear — running or playing on an unlicensed gambling site is illegal. But what’s the point of a law if no one is enforcing it?
Online casinos make it easy by offering local payment options and customer service in South African languages. Some even market themselves as if they’re perfectly legal, tricking players into thinking they’re safe. This just weakens the government’s control even further.
Here’s a quote from a sponsored article on eNCA, “The real difference is that South Africa doesn’t enforce these laws as strictly as some other countries do. No players have been prosecuted under these laws since they were put in place. Some online casino operators have had issues with their legal status but that doesn’t directly impact players — unless their account has been deleted when an online casino is in legal trouble.”
Illegal online gambling isn’t just a legal issue — it’s also a big financial problem. Licensed betting sites, like sports betting companies, at least pay tax. But offshore casinos? They take millions out of the country and South Africa gets nothing in return.
Then there’s the risk to players. These foreign platforms don’t have to follow South African laws about fair play or responsible gambling. That means players can get scammed with rigged games, never see their winnings or end up losing way more than they can afford. Without proper protections, problem gambling just keeps growing and there’s no real safety net.
The South African government really needs to step up and enforce its laws. One way to hit illegal casinos where it hurts is by blocking payments. Banks and payment providers should be stopping transactions to and from these platforms. If they can’t get South African money, they won’t have a business here.
At the same time, authorities should crack down harder on the operators themselves. If repeat offenders — both players and companies — face real consequences, it will send a message that this isn’t just an empty rule.
Even with enforcement, there’s no denying that South Africans love online gambling. Many countries have realised that outright bans don’t work and have chosen to legalise and regulate the industry instead. By doing so, they protect players, ensure fair play and collect tax revenue. Maybe it’s time for South Africa to have that conversation too.
For now, though, doing nothing isn’t an option. If the government continues to let international operators run wild, the situation will only get worse. Without a real plan — whether that’s enforcing the ban properly or moving toward regulation — South Africa will keep losing money and players will keep being left unprotected.
Mduduzi Mbiza is a professional writer.
NWU Business School launches PhD Hub for Africa:
The North-West University (NWU) Business School has established a formidable foundation and inaugurated the PhD Hub for Africa, a pioneering initiative aimed at nurturing doctoral talent and enhancing supervisory expertise throughout the continent. The PhD Hub was officially launched on Monday, 10 March 2025, during the International Conference on Green and Sustainable Development held at the Kigali Serena Hotel in Rwanda.
This strategic initiative, with a history of producing influential doctoral candidates, aligns with the vision of the NWU Business School, which is dedicated to shaping executive minds in Africa. It underscores a firm commitment to impactful and transformative research. Recognising the increasing demand for high-quality doctoral education, the PhD Hub serves to bridge the gap between academia and industry by cultivating a new generation of thought leaders, innovators and impactful researchers. The PhD Hub for Africa is aimed at industry professionals, emerging scholars seeking a PhD in Business Administration and academic supervisors looking to enhance their doctoral mentorship expertise.
Prof Joseph Sekhampu, chief director of the NWU Business School, emphasised the hub’s role in elevating the quality and impact of doctoral research. “This initiative is a bold step towards strengthening Africa’s research capabilities and shaping the future of business leadership on the continent. By creating a platform for rigorous scholarship and high-impact research, we are not only empowering doctoral candidates but also fostering sustainable solutions to Africa’s business and economic challenges.”
This initiative strengthens the NWU Business School’s strategic focus on internationalisation, forging collaborations with African and global academic institutions and industry leaders to ensure that African business research remains relevant, globally competitive and deeply rooted in the continent’s unique economic and social landscape.
The PhD Hub will catalyse impactful research, connecting scholars, business executives and policymakers to drive transformational change across Africa. As part of this ambitious endeavour, the NWU Business School is engaging with continent-wide and international networks to provide PhD candidates with world-class mentorship, research resources and exposure to global best practices.
This will ensure that doctoral research emerging from the PhD Hub is both academically rigorous and practically transformative in addressing Africa’s critical economic and managerial challenges. The NWU Business School invites potential PhD candidates, academic supervisors and industry experts to become part of this transformative initiative. For more information on the PhD Hub for Africa, visit the NWU Business School’s website: www.nwubusinessschool.co.za.
Oscar Mosiane
Manager: Communication
Tel: (018) 389 2144
Cell: (076) 684 5014
Oscar.mosiane@nwu.ac.za
New research offers hope in Africa’s malaria crisis:
A new weapon in the battle against malaria is emerging, and this time not from a laboratory, but rather driven by machine learning.
Researchers at the North-West University (NWU) have leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the search for life-saving drugs, a breakthrough that could shift the tide against this deadly disease.
The researchers have focused on a specific protein that is essential for the survival of the malaria parasite. By using machine learning, they have been able to screen thousands of potential compounds that could block this protein and prevent the parasite from thriving. This approach significantly speeds up the drug discovery process compared to traditional methods.
Malaria continues to be a major health crisis, particularly in Africa, where most cases and deaths occur.
Existing treatments are becoming less effective as the malaria parasite becomes resistant to commonly used drugs.
“We need to stay ahead of the parasite by continuously developing innovative treatments,” says Dr Fortunate Mokoena from the subject group Biochemistry and one of the lead researchers.
Machine learning vs malaria
Dr Mokoena emphasises the potential impact of their work. “By using AI and machine learning, we were able to analyse a vast number of compounds in a fraction of the time it would take using conventional approaches. This allows us to identify promising drug candidates much faster.”
The study identified several compounds that show strong potential in targeting the malaria parasite. “One compound, called FTN-T5, emerged as a promising candidate. In laboratory tests, FTN-T5 demonstrated its ability to kill the malaria parasite while remaining safe for human cells. However, further optimisation, including pre-clinical trials, is necessary before it can be developed into an approved treatment,” adds Dr Mokoena.
The use of artificial intelligence in drug discovery marks a significant shift in how scientists approach finding treatments for diseases such as malaria. Traditional drug development can take years, but AI-driven methods can streamline the process, identifying viable compounds more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The researchers stress that additional funding and collaboration with pharmaceutical companies will be crucial in advancing these findings towards real-world applications. Clinical trials, regulatory approvals and large-scale manufacturing are still hurdles that must be overcome before a new malaria treatment reaches patients.
“These findings provide a strong starting point for developing new malaria drugs,” says Dr Mokoena. “Our goal is to create medicines that are not only effective but also have a lower risk of resistance. Our interest is to develop affordable medicines for neglected African populations.”
The research highlights how technology is transforming medicine, offering a glimpse into the future of drug discovery. If successful, this AI-driven approach could pave the way for faster and more efficient treatments, not just for malaria but for a wide range of infectious diseases.
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