Online Betting

In recent years, online betting has seen a rapid growth both in South Africa and internationally, emerging as the leading form of gambling.
An ever evolving and complex industry, Werksmans has developed a wealth of expertise in online betting and is uniquely positioned to provide regulatory, commercial, and tech-savvy legal advice.

Our online betting and gambling legal specialists are drawn from multiple practice areas across the firm including Commercial, Dispute Resolution, and Regulatory teams supported by in-depth expertise in Digital Media & Electronic Communications, Tax, Banking & Financial Services, Fintech, Competition, Mergers & Acquisitions, Intellectual Property and Technology & Innovation. Their reach also extends to critical adjacent fields such as advertising and sponsorship, payment systems and anti-money laundering compliance, ensuring comprehensive and interdisciplinary legal solutions.
We bring years of expertise across the gambling sector, providing services that encompass online and land-based betting, gaming, lottery, and casino offerings.

• Werksmans assisted a large South African listed entity in obtaining bookmaker and manufacturer licences to launch a sports betting platform in the Western Cape, including preparing procurement of interest applications and extensive advice in respect of sports betting licensing and regulation.
• Advised a B-BBEE investor on its successful procurement of interest application to the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board to acquire an interest in the bookmaker and manufacturer licences held by a key South African sports betting platform which is part of a group of companies listed on the JSE. Werksmans advised on a wide range of corporate and regulatory issues in respect of sports betting and related matters.
• Advising a large pan-African digital media and entertainment company on a wide range of regulatory issues under the gambling and lotteries laws.
• Advising a large multi-national JSE-listed entity in respect of the acquisition of a controlling interest in its sports betting subsidiary by a leading multi-national player.
• Advised a local listed company on its acquisition of an online betting company and in particular, advising on the intellectual property rights, technology proprietary licensing and open source licensing and data protection aspects of the transaction including advising on the transfer of the relevant technology solution/s to the acquirer in line with relevant local laws, including gaming laws and SABS requirements.
• Currently advising a local listed company in relation to its bid for the National Lotteries Licence including on the various technology commercial arrangements in relation to its licensing, customisation and deployment of an online gaming technology platform procurement from leading international technology company in the gambling industry.
• Advising a local listed company in relation to the acquisition of an online betting business.
• Advised a local listed gaming company on the various technology commercial and intellectual property arrangements in relation to its licensing, customisation and deployment of an online gaming technology platform procured from a leading international technology company in the gambling industry (which technology included an online casino content, sportsbook technology and relevant player engagement tools). This matter included advising on the relevant pilot, transition through obtaining relevant gaming licences and meeting relevant standards required under gaming laws and negotiating the long-term licensing, development and support and maintenance services arrangements.
• Currently advising a company based in Beijing in relation to its application for bookmaker and manufacturer licences.
• Provided general regulatory, data protection and intellectual property advice on various technology licence arrangements and patron engagement technology for use in a local gaming company's gaming establishments across South Africa, including addressing relevant SABS and related requirements.
• Provided advice to a local gaming and betting company on their loyalty programme and on their outsourced arrangements with third party providers for the end-to-end operation of their hospitality engagement programme and call centre facilities.
• Advised and acted for a multinational gambling company operating in about 50 countries – in obtaining merger approval and clearance from the Gambling authorities in Namibia.
• Advised and acted for local listed entity in relation to the acquisition of joint/negative control of the South African national lottery from Zamani and Ithuba.
• Advised on all aspects of gaming and betting including online betting. Clients include Tatts Group, Bally Gaming, Aristocrat, Supabets Sports Betting, WMS Gaming and Cashcade.
• Advised a major South African bank on the risks arising from providing banking services for foreign online casinos.
• Advised a leading South African corporate and investment bank on the licensing and regulation of online sports betting in South Africa in the context of a possible transaction in which a consortium is considering acquiring a financial interest in a sports betting platform.
  Advised 4Racing Proprietary Limited ("4Racing") in concluding a series of agreements with Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited (in business rescue) ("PGL"), in terms of which, 4Racing acquired from PGL the horse racing, media production and distribution of horse racing products and tote betting business conducted by PGL.
• Currently advising 4Racing in a VAT dispute specifically whether the entry fees to participate in a horse race can be classified as a "bet".
• Advised the Gauteng Gambling Board in twelve review applications resulting from the awarding of gambling licences in the Gauteng Province.
• Advised Tsogo Sun Holdings Ltd specifically drafting/commenting on the transaction agreements and responsibility for all conveyancing aspects related to the sale/transfer of the casino precinct properties.
• Advised a multinational hotel and gaming group in resisting and ultimately settling a ZAR 100 million claim against it.
• Advised various national and international clients concerning online and interactive gambling.
• Participated in the adjudication and awarding of gambling licences.

David Hertz

Bafana Ntuli

Eric Levenstein

Paul Tindle

Wendy Rosenberg

Doelie Lessing

Janine Hollesen

Preeta Bhagattjee

Tebogo Sibidla

Elliott Wood

Kevin Trudgeon

Stephan Lochner

The below matters are a select number of firm matters. To find out more, contact enquiries@werksmans.com