Pretoria High Court rejects Ithuba’s bid to block national lottery handover to Sizekhaya Holdings

The Pretoria High Court has dismissed an urgent application filed by Ithuba to halt the transition of South Africa’s national lottery licence to Sizekhaya Holdings, clearing the path for the new operator to take over on June 1, 2026.

Judge Ronel Tolmay ruled that Ithuba’s request for an interdict lacked sufficient urgency and did not justify interfering with the established handover process. The court emphasized that maintaining uninterrupted national lottery services outweighed Ithuba’s claims and that delaying the transition could undermine regulatory certainty and harm the public interest.

Ithuba had argued that procedural irregularities and concerns over due diligence justified pausing the handover. However, the court found no grounds to suspend the implementation timeline set by the National Lotteries Commission. With the application dismissed, Sizekhaya Holdings is now free to continue preparations for assuming full operational control from mid-2026.

The ruling marks a significant moment in South Africa’s lottery sector, confirming the regulator’s authority to proceed with the transition and reinforcing the importance of operational continuity. Industry observers note that the decision effectively signals the end of Ithuba’s legal avenues to challenge the handover, although the company may still explore further options depending on its broader strategy.

The National Lotteries Commission has not yet issued additional public comments but is expected to outline next steps as the June 2026 transition date approaches.