Trade, Industry and Competition on award of 4th National Lottery and Sports Pool License

On 26 May 2025, I received a report from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) regarding the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations with the preferred bidder for the Fourth National Lottery and Sports Pools Licence. Accordingly, I am pleased to announce that I have awarded Sizekhaya Holdings (RF) (Pty) Ltd (“Sizekhaya”) the licence in terms of section 13 of the Lotteries Act 57 of 1997.

As I indicated previously, I intended to announce the successful bidder on 28 May 2025 provided that the licence agreement negotiations with the preferred bidder were successfully concluded. I wish to thank the parties to the negotiations for completing their work in time.

It is most unfortunate that this matter has already become the subject of litigation and a judgment of the High Court. I am seeking legal advice with a view to appealing against the judgment’s findings and orders, and I reserve all my rights concerning this judgment. With due respect to the Honourable High Court, my announcement is the result of my undertaking made to the bidders and the Court before the hearing of the application.

This ends a long and difficult process of evaluating eight applications for the fourth licence. I appreciate that this has been an enormous and complex endeavour. I wish to thank the Board and staff of the NLC and all those who were involved in this arduous exercise.

I look forward to the growth of the lottery and the sports pools under the stewardship of Sizekhaya and to a mutually beneficial and healthy working relationship between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), the NLC and Sizekhaya. I also look forward to increased contributions to the many needy beneficiaries of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

Enquiries:
Mr. Yamkela Fanisi
Ministerial Spokesperson
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
E-mail: YFanisi@thedtic.gov.za
Cell: 076 034 6551

Mr. Bongani Lukhele
Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Cell: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za

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