South Africa's National Lottery license adjudication set for October 8

The National Lottery Commission will wrap up the adjudication of South Africa's fourth national lottery license on October 8, a process that has attracted bids from several ANC-linked entities seeking the multibillion-rand contract. According to BusinessDay, the licensing process follows multiple phases, including requests for proposals, bid submissions, evaluations, adjudication, and a final decision by the minister.

The Department of Trade, Industry & Competition has emphasized that the evaluation process includes extensive, independent vetting. To maintain fairness, board members are kept unaware of the bidders to avoid potential bias.

Since its inception in 2000, the South African National Lottery has been operated by three companies: Uthingo (2000–2007), Gidani (2007–2015), and currently Ithuba, whose license will expire in May 2025. The National Lottery generates significant revenue, with a portion dedicated to charitable causes and community development initiatives across the country.