Key points:
- Following a bidding process, Sizekhaya Holdings has been awarded the fourth South African National Lottery and Sports Pools licence
- Some have raised questions regarding Sizekhaya Holdings' political connections
Sizekhaya Holdings has been awarded South Africa’s fourth National Lottery and Sports Pools licence, following a bidding process. The award was announced by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, and was decided via a Pretoria High Court order.
The business, led by Goldrush and businessmen Sandile Zungu and Moses Tembe, will be granted the licence on 1 June 2026, after the current temporary licence, held by Ithuba Lottery, expires.
The tender is valued at R180bn ($10.02bn). The licence is set to run for eight years.
Sizekhaya Holdings is partnered with Genlot, a tech company that currently holds 19% of the global lottery market share and operates China’s lottery, will aid in ticket sales, staff onboarding and equipment.
Good to know: Goldrush recently partnered with Greentube, bringing a selection of games from Greentube’s portfolio to the nation via its Mynt platform
The decision by Tau is one that has been scrutinised. Before the announcement, one of the licence bidders, Wina Njalo, accused Tau of favouritism towards Ithuba, which they say was the reason for Tau’s delayed annoucenemt of the new winner. It is worth noting that, following a two-year extension, Ithuba is no longer able to obtain another licence, due to rules in the Lotteries Act.
The National Lotteries Commission has also been subject to scrutiny, as Goldrush, one of Sizekhaya Holdings leaders, has political ties. Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane commented: “This process must be fair to maintain public trust.”
