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South Africa’s National Treasury has pushed back the deadline for public comment on a proposal that would introduce a 20% national tax on online and interactive gambling revenue, giving stakeholders another month to weigh in before Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivers the 2026 Budget next month.
Treasury originally opened the comment period after publishing its draft discussion paper on 25 November 2025, with submissions due by 30 January 2026. It has now extended that deadline to 27 February 2026, following requests for more time.
Godongwana is scheduled to deliver the National Budget Speech on 25 February 2026, meaning the consultation window will now run beyond budget day.
Treasury is chasing two goals: revenue and harm reduction
The proposal targets gross gambling revenue (GGR) from online betting and interactive gambling. Treasury has said the measure could raise about R10 billion a year, and it would rest on top of existing provincial gambling taxes.
While the expected revenue is not small, Treasury has also been clear that this is not being pitched only as a cash grab.
The department argued that the main goal is not simply to raise cash, but to reduce the social damage tied to rising gambling participation.
In the discussion paper and related briefings, the department links the tax to the rapid expansion of online gambling and the harm it can cause when people chase quick money in a weak economy.
The extension comes as parties in Parliament sharpen their messaging around new taxes
During debate around the Mid-Term Budget Policy Statement, several parties signaled they would resist new proposals that land directly on households. At the same time, some MPs have argued that online gambling, already a fast-growing, high-volume market, should carry more of the load.
Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana has backed the idea publicly and dismissed claims from parts of the industry that a national gambling tax would be unconstitutional.
“We will not rest as Rise Mzansi until there are proper gambling reforms that protect lives and livelihoods because no nation has ever gambled itself to prosperity.”
Industry pushback is coming, and Treasury knows it
Treasury is not pretending this will be friction-free. A 20% national levy would be one of the most aggressive single changes to the country’s online betting tax picture in years.
Treasury’s counterpoint, so far, is that online gambling has grown fast enough, and created enough social fallout,.that government has to act even if the industry complains.
For now, the proposal remains a draft. The clock is running on consultation, with submissions now due by 27 February 2026.
Even if the Budget Speech on 25 February is the headline event, the more important fight may come after: whether Treasury doubles down on the full 20% levy, tweaks it, phases it in, or rewrites the plan entirely based on legal and industry feedback.
Source: Government of South Africa
