Sizekhaya Awarded South Africa’s National Lottery Licence

Sizekhaya Holdings has been granted the Fourth National Lottery and Sports Pools licence by South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition.

The licence, valid for eight years, is set to commence by 1 June 2026, marking a significant milestone for the consortium.

Goldrush Group, in which the company holds a 59.4% stake, is a 50% shareholder in Sizekhaya.

However, following regulatory requirements, Sizekhaya will issue shares to a government entity, reducing Goldrush’s stake to 40%.

As the new operator, Sizekhaya will oversee lottery ticket sales, prize payouts, and contributions to the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF): ensuring funds support good causes across South Africa.

The selection of Sizekhaya – meaning “We are coming home” – reflects the expertise of Goldrush’s management and its global partner, Genlot, a leader in lottery operations.

With this announcement, the cautionary notice issued on 8 May 2025 has been lifted, allowing normal trading of the company’s securities.

This move positions Sizekhaya as a key player in South Africa’s gaming sector, promising innovation, transparency, and social impact through the National Lottery.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have commented on the matter, saying: “Minister Tau’s refusal to listen, refusal to appear before Parliament, and decision to proceed with this appointment anyway represents a complete betrayal of his constitutional responsibilities”.

The EFF added: “Instead of ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with the Lotteries Act, he has compromised a public asset by awarding a contract worth over R180 billion over the next eight years to benefit the ANC’s [African National Congress] cronies in a clear case of state capture.”