Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has appointed Ithuba Holdings as the temporary operator of South Africa’s National Lottery, granting a 12-month licence extension from June 1, 2025, to ensure continued operations while Sizekhaya prepares to take over in May 2026[1]. This decision was made following Ithuba’s rejection of an earlier five-month contract, which was deemed unprofitable, and amid delays in finalizing the new permanent operator. The extension aims to avoid disruption to lottery services and was needed after a High Court decision questioned the previous tender process[4].
The National Lotteries Commission welcomed the move, describing Ithuba’s interim licence as crucial for maintaining continuity and ensuring ongoing contributions to good causes[2]. The arrangement assures participants that all lottery games, draws, and prize payouts will continue as usual, adhering to the standards South Africans have come to expect[4].
In a significant technological achievement, Ithuba executed a “seamless” migration of the National Lottery system to a new local core technology platform in under two hours, with zero downtime. This migration—regarded as one of the fastest globally—was delivered in partnership with Paytronix, a 100% Black-owned South African ICT firm, and marks South Africa’s shift towards technological sovereignty in its lottery operations[3]. The switchover included integration with all major banks and mobile operators, and uninterrupted service through over 250,000 retail points nationally[3].
Despite the temporary licence extension, Ithuba has initiated legal proceedings to challenge the awarding of the eight-year permanent licence to Sizekhaya. Ithuba’s court filings argue that the award violated bidding requirements, as Sizekhaya reportedly lacked secured funding and required a lengthy transition period. Ithuba also highlighted concerns over alleged political connections among Sizekhaya’s stakeholders, which are now the focus of public scrutiny and ongoing litigation[5].
Beyond its South African operations, Ithuba has expanded into other African markets, launching the Uganda National Lottery in 2024 and preparing for a debut in Tanzania in 2025. These ventures, along with notable community investments and responsible gaming standards, have cemented Ithuba’s reputation as a leading lottery operator on the continent[6].
References
- [1] Minister appoints Ithuba Holdings to run national lottery
- [2] Appointment of interim Lottery Operator, Ithuba stays on
- [3] ITHUBA executes seamless National Lottery system migration in under two hours
- [4] Ithuba Lottery confirms 12-month temporary extension of its operating licence
- [5] South Africa: Ithuba Challenges Lottery Licence Award
- [6] Celebrating ITHUBA’s success as South Africa’s lottery operator