In a significant development within South Africa’s gaming and lottery sector, Sizekhaya Holdings has been officially appointed to steer the operations of the country’s Sports Pools and National Lottery. This landmark decision came after an intense competition featuring eight contenders, all scrutinized under the watchful eye of Parks Tau, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition.

The selection of Sizekhaya Holdings is attributed to an exhaustive evaluation process that considered the company’s financial health, adherence to compliance policies, and its vision for sustainable operations over the next eight years. Under the leadership of Chairman Moses Tembe, Sizekhaya Holdings is now entrusted with the comprehensive management responsibilities encompassing ticket pricing strategies, sales enhancement measures, and directing proceeds towards social welfare initiatives.

Transitioning from Ithuba Holdings—the entity previously at the helm—Sizekhaya is tasked with ensuring a seamless handover. Ithuba Holdings’ tenure was recently marred by controversies surrounding alleged close ties with government officials which stirred speculation and debate within industry circles.

The urgency in announcing a new operator was propelled by a directive from the Pretoria High Court which mandated Minister Tau to finalize the winning bid by May’s end. This directive emerged amid concerns that delays in selecting a new licensee were unduly benefiting Ithuba’s commercial interests.

Notably, Ithuba Holdings first assumed control of these operations in 2015 and enjoyed an extended tenure lasting ten years—a duration extended through an intervention by Tau’s predecessor in 2023. This extension was supported by arguments from South Africa’s National Lottery Commission (NLC), advocating for additional time for Ithuba to mitigate financial setbacks incurred due to economic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Tau acknowledged the culmination of this “long and difficult process” involving meticulous evaluation of eight applications for this prestigious fourth license. He expressed gratitude towards both the NLC Board and staff as well as all participants who contributed to this demanding yet vital undertaking.

This transition not only marks a new chapter for South Africa’s National Lottery and Sports Pools but also reflects a commitment towards ensuring transparency, fairness, and social responsibility in one of the nation’s key entertainment sectors.