Minister Parks Tau Grants iThuba Temporary Lottery Licence Despite Court Ruling

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has awarded a 12-month temporary National Lottery license to iThuba Holdings, despite a recent high court ruling declaring such an appointment unconstitutional. The move is intended to prevent a potentially disruptive halt in lottery operations, Tau said in a statement issued on Sunday.

The minister confirmed that the temporary license takes effect immediately, citing public interest concerns over the potential pause in ticket sales and funding to charitable organisations.

Legal Clash Over Lottery Transition

The appointment comes in the wake of a legal battle surrounding the National Lottery’s next operator. Earlier this year, the High Court ruled that granting a temporary licence to iThuba unfairly favoured the incumbent operator, making the decision unconstitutional.

However, Tau is challenging the ruling, saying another court judgement affirmed his legal authority to act in the public’s interest to avoid operational disruptions.

“We are appealing the judgement as we believe the decision to appoint iThuba temporarily is lawful and necessary,” Tau said.

Sizekhaya to Take Over in 2026, But Concerns Linger

New licence holder Sizekhaya Gaming, which was officially awarded the long-term contract to run the National Lottery, is only expected to take over operations in 2026. The transition raised concerns about a gap in services that could leave beneficiaries—especially charities supported by the National Lottery Commission (NLC)—without critical funding.

“We could not risk a gap in operations that would affect the distribution of lottery funds to vulnerable communities,” said a departmental spokesperson.

While the legal wrangling continues, iThuba will remain at the helm—at least for the next 12 months—as the broader battle over the future of South Africa’s National Lottery unfolds.

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