R180 Billion Tender Awarded Following Court-Ordered Bidding Process
Sizekhaya Holdings has officially secured the rights to operate South Africa’s fourth National Lottery and Sports Pools licence, marking a significant shift in the country’s lottery landscape. The eight-year licence, valued at an estimated R180 billion ($10.02 billion), was awarded following a competitive tender process and announced by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, in line with a ruling issued by the Pretoria High Court.
The licence will become active on 1 June 2026, following the expiration of the current temporary licence held by Ithuba Lottery, which has run South Africa’s lottery system since 2015. Due to limitations in the Lotteries Act, Ithuba is now ineligible for reappointment, following a previous two-year extension.
Sizekhaya Holdings and Genlot Partnership Set to Modernise Operations
Sizekhaya Holdings is led by Goldrush Group, along with prominent South African businessmen Sandile Zungu and Moses Tembe. The consortium will operate in partnership with Genlot, a global lottery technology firm responsible for a 19% share of the global lottery market, including operations in China.
Genlot is expected to play a critical role in enhancing South Africa’s lottery infrastructure, supporting ticket sales, onboarding staff, and providing advanced technological equipment to streamline operations.
The move signals potential for a technologically advanced, data-driven lottery system, aligning with global trends in lottery digitisation and retail optimisation.
Political Connections Prompt Concerns Over Transparency
Despite the commercial potential, the announcement has not escaped public and political scrutiny. Allegations of political favouritism and concerns about transparency have emerged following the decision.
One of the bidding parties, Wina Njalo, accused Minister Tau of bias toward Ithuba, arguing that this was the reason for the delayed announcement of the successful bidder. The selection of Sizekhaya Holdings, partly led by Goldrush, has further raised eyebrows due to the group’s reported political affiliations.
BOSA party leader Mmusi Maimane weighed in, stating:
“This process must be fair to maintain public trust.”
The National Lotteries Commission has previously faced criticism over procurement processes and political influence, adding further pressure on regulators to ensure that this latest award stands up to scrutiny.
A Pivotal Moment for South Africa’s Lottery Landscape
The new licence marks the beginning of a new era for South Africa’s lottery ecosystem, with hopes for increased transparency, improved player protections, and technological upgrades. With Sizekhaya Holdings and Genlot poised to take the reins, the next steps will involve regulatory preparation, platform rollout, and public assurance.
Whether this change will bring enhanced efficiency or renewed controversy remains to be seen, but the coming months will be critical in establishing credibility and operational clarity ahead of the 2026 transition.
