(AsiaGameHub) – The leader of the gambling regulatory body in South Africa’s Gauteng province has been dismissed following findings of ‘gross misconduct’ and the ‘misuse of public funds’.
According to the South African Government News Agency, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that she was compelled to fire Dr Karabo Mbele, the Chief Executive Officer of the Gauteng Gambling Board, in the wake of the investigation.
The findings linked Mbele to ‘significant governance lapses,’ including meddling in funding approval procedures, authorizing funds before official protocols were finalized, approving payments lacking necessary documentation, and failing to meet oversight and compliance duties.
Oscar Maripane, the board’s Chief Financial Officer, has also been placed on suspension while an internal disciplinary review takes place, following evidence connecting him to procurement irregularities, violations of Gauteng’s Public Finance Management Act, and failures in internal controls and statutory reporting requirements.
‘Widespread institutional decline’
Ramokgopa characterized the situation as a ‘widespread institutional decline’ within the Gauteng Gambling Board, warning that if left unaddressed, it would ‘undermine public confidence and damage the entity’s integrity.’
Specific concerns were raised regarding the distribution of roughly R73m (£3.28m) from a Social Development Fund and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) budget prior to the completion of the board’s approval process.
Further scrutiny has been directed at Mbele’s decision to authorize an additional R23m (£1.03m) in Social and Economic Development (SED) funding in April 2025 without adhering to established governance and authorization procedures.
Commenting on the forensic report, which was prepared by an independent legal team headed by Advocate William Mokhare SC, Ramokgopa stated: “It is highly troubling that since taking office six weeks ago, I have been flooded with reports from whistleblowers—many seeking anonymity—detailing various acts of misconduct, corruption, and poor administration at the gambling board.
“It is evident that the current state of affairs at the Gauteng Gambling Board is unsustainable.”
Several members of the Gauteng Gambling Board stepped down in December 2025, and an administrator will be installed while a new board is formed.
A pivotal moment for South Africa
These serious allegations emerge at a critical juncture for the South African gambling industry, which is experiencing growth alongside broader trends across the African continent.
Online betting, in particular, has seen a significant rise in activity, prompting the South African Treasury to launch a consultation on the potential introduction of a new iGaming tax to supplement existing provincial gaming levies.
Initially disclosed in November, the National Treasury has suggested a 20% tax on online gaming operations, aiming to generate revenue to ensure that ‘the external costs linked to gambling are covered by those who provide and engage in it.’
The proposal noted: “Technological advancements have increased the accessibility of online gambling, altering betting habits and expanding the range of available products, which users can now access from any location at any time. This crosses provincial lines and cannot be effectively or fully managed at a provincial level.”
When combined with provincial tax rates—which range from 6% to 9% depending on the region and sector—the nation’s effective tax burden would reach between 26% and 29% if the proposal is enacted.
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