Sizekhaya Holdings, the newly appointed operator of South Africa’s National Lottery, has announced that it is fully prepared to assume control of the country’s lottery operations starting June 1, 2026. The consortium, which secured the lucrative eight-year licence, emphasized its commitment to running a transparent, efficient, and innovative operation free from any political interference.
Fundi Sithebe, Chief Operating Officer of Sizekhaya Holdings, stated with certainty that the operator would manage the licence over the next eight years in a transparent, efficient, exciting, and innovative manner. “There has been no political interference whatsoever,” Sithebe said, adding that the company strongly believes in the superior value proposition it presented.
Sizekhaya Holdings has consistently dismissed any links to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, his former wife, or any political figures. The company stressed full compliance with the National Lotteries Act of 1997, which prohibits political parties or office bearers from having any direct financial interest in the applicant or its shareholders. “We have none of that,” Sithebe affirmed, noting that the group was guided strictly by the Act throughout the process.
The outgoing operator, Ithuba, has brought litigation challenging the award, but Sizekhaya expressed confidence in its position, having invested significant resources and time to avoid compromising product quality.
To facilitate a smooth transition, Sizekhaya has partnered with Chinese technology giant Genlot to align South Africa’s lottery with global digital standards and enhance technological capabilities.
Among planned innovations, the company aims to address “jackpot fatigue,” where jackpots roll over repeatedly for extended periods—sometimes up to six weeks—before a winner emerges. Sizekhaya intends to introduce cascading jackpots to enable more frequent wins. Live on-screen lottery draws are also set to return.
The operator is currently testing systems with retailers through a “test and play” phase and has committed to delivering over 6,000 lottery terminals to retailers nationwide, with installations underway.
The National Lottery serves as the country’s largest philanthropic channel, channeling 23% to 25% of proceeds to good causes via the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund. Sithebe acknowledged efforts by the current commissioner to enhance integrity and oversight amid past investigations into alleged corruption involving lottery funds.
Sizekhaya pledged to run the lottery transparently and efficiently to maximize benefits for good causes. The company also expressed support for further discussions to strengthen the policy framework against illegal betting and gambling.
A formal launch is scheduled for April, ahead of the official takeover on June 1, 2026.
