Sizekhaya Holdings began operating the South African National Lottery on 1 June 2026 under an eight-year agreement valued at approximately R180 billion ($10.9 billion). The transition replaces Ithuba Holdings after an eleven-year term and coincides with an ongoing High Court review of the award.
The new operator launched with R130 million in jackpot funds, restored live televised draws to e.tv, and deployed over 5,500 retail terminals nationwide. The licence allocates 34% of revenue to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, which supports charitable, sporting, and community projects. Since the lottery’s inception in 2000, the fund has distributed more than R31 billion.
Ithuba contributed R1.83 billion to the trust in the 2024 financial year from R7.28 billion in ticket sales.
Consortium Ownership and Technical Platform
The Sizekhaya consortium is chaired by Moses Tembe and includes AmaZulu FC owner Sandile Zungu. Goldrush Holdings holds a 40% stake, the state-backed National Empowerment Fund owns 20%, and Bellamont Gaming controls approximately 7%. Bellamont is co-directed by Tembe and Khumo Bogatsu, twin sister of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s wife. The lottery’s technical infrastructure is provided by Genlot, the Shenzhen-based developer responsible for China’s national lottery system.Legal Scrutiny and Opposition Review
The licence award faces judicial scrutiny, with a High Court hearing scheduled for later this year. Opposition parties and independent investigators have raised questions regarding the bidding timeline and ownership links. Bellamont Gaming was registered in December 2023, and Sizekhaya Holdings was incorporated shortly before the 3 February 2024 submission deadline. The Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters have cited potential conflicts of interest, while the Democratic Alliance’s trade spokesperson Toby Chance has joined the review process. Information regarding the bidding timeline and ownership structure comes from public company registries and opposition party statements.The current arrangement marks the fourth licence issued under the Lotteries Act 57 of 1997 and the first change of operator since 2015.