Sizekhaya Begins National Lottery Operations in South Africa

Sizekhaya Holdings has officially taken over South Africa’s National Lottery operations as of 1 June 2026, marking the first change in operator since 2015 and ending Ithuba Holdings’ 11-year tenure. The transition begins an eight-year licence period overseen in partnership with the National Lotteries Commission.

The move places the consortium at the centre of one of the country’s largest public gaming contracts, widely estimated at around R180 billion over its duration.

The lottery is framed by Sizekhaya as both a commercial operation and a public institution with a strong social mandate, with 34% of revenue directed to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund supporting community, sports, arts and development initiatives.

Expansion strategy focused on access and visibility

Sizekhaya says its approach prioritises broader accessibility, increased engagement, and stronger visibility of the lottery across everyday life in South Africa.

“We understand the responsibility that comes with becoming custodians of an institution as important and recognisable as the National Lottery,” says CEO of Sizekhaya Holdings Lebo Ndadana, as IOL reports.

“This is a national asset. It belongs to the people of South Africa. We want South Africans to feel excited about participating in the lottery, confident in its integrity and proud of the contribution it continues to make in communities across the country.”

The company plans to expand participation through both physical retail networks and digital platforms, aiming to align the lottery experience with current consumer behaviour.

Partnerships with retailers nationwide are expected to expand access in cities, suburbs, and smaller communities, reinforcing a broader distribution strategy designed to keep participation convenient.

Return of televised draws and player engagement push

One of the most visible changes under Sizekhaya’s stewardship is the return of live televised lottery draws, which will once again be broadcast nationally.

The company views the reinstatement of live draws as a way to rebuild engagement and shared participation in the lottery experience. The decision is positioned not only as a nostalgic step but also as part of a wider effort to increase transparency and public connection.

Ndadana said live draws contribute to a stronger sense of national participation and excitement, describing them as part of restoring visibility around the lottery process.

Sizekhaya has also stated its intention to create more winners more frequently, while maintaining compliance with responsible gaming standards and operational integrity.

Technology overhaul through Genlot partnership

A central pillar of the new operation is its technology partnership with Genlot, a global lottery systems provider responsible for delivering the platform supporting both retail and digital operations.

Genlot has implemented a system that includes point-of-sale terminals, mobile and online gaming infrastructure, real-time draw management, business intelligence tools, and integrated security systems designed to meet international regulatory standards.

Moses Tembe, Chairperson of Sizekhaya Holdings, described the transition as a modernization effort.

“The future of the National Lottery must reflect the needs and expectations of modern South Africa. Through our partnership with Genlot, we are introducing a technologically advanced, transparent, and player-focused lottery ecosystem that will broaden participation, improve accessibility, create more opportunities for winners, and reinforce public confidence in this important national institution.”

Genlot leadership also highlighted the scale of the project and its role in expanding lottery technology deployment across Africa.

The licence structure underpinning Sizekhaya’s operation places significant emphasis on funding public benefit programmes. A substantial portion of ticket revenue flows into the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, which finances social and community development initiatives.

According to available data, the lottery has historically contributed tens of billions of rand to good causes since inception, with continued expectations that the new operator will expand contributions over the licence period.

The scale of the contract, combined with its eight-year duration, places it among the most significant public-sector-linked commercial gaming arrangements in the country.

Political scrutiny and legal uncertainty continue

Despite the operational handover, the licence award remains under legal challenge. Opposition parties and civil society organisations have raised concerns about the bidding process, citing alleged irregularities, governance questions, and possible conflicts of interest involving consortium shareholders.

Critics have pointed to links between certain stakeholders and politically connected individuals, calling for further investigation into the evaluation and awarding process.

Sizekhaya and its partners have rejected these claims, insisting the bid was awarded through a competitive and transparent process. The consortium maintains that no improper political influence played a role and that all regulatory requirements were followed.

The matter is now before the courts, where competing legal challenges are expected to test the validity of the award.