Sizekhaya Holdings has officially taken over operations of the South African National Lottery on 1 June 2026, marking the first change of operator since 2015 and ending Ithuba Holdings’ 11-year tenure. This transition begins an eight-year licensing period overseen in partnership with the National Lottery Commission.
The move places the consortium at the center of one of the largest public gaming contracts in the country, widely estimated to amount to around R180 billion over its duration.
The lottery is framed by Sizekhaya as a commercial operation and public institution with a strong social mandate, with 34% of revenues directed to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund which supports community, sports, arts and development initiatives.
The expansion strategy focuses on access and visibility
Sizekhaya said his approach prioritizes broader accessibility, increased engagement and stronger visibility of the lottery in everyday life in South Africa.
“We understand the responsibilities that come with being custodians of an important and well-known institution such as the National Lottery.” said Sizekhaya Holdings CEO Lebo Ndadana, as reported by IOL.
"This is a national asset. It belongs to the people of South Africa. We want South Africans to feel excited about participating in the lottery, confident in its integrity, and proud of the contribution it continues to make to communities across the country.”
The company plans to expand participation through its physical retail network and digital platforms, aims to align the lottery experience with current consumer behavior.
Partnerships with retailers across the country are expected to expand access in cities, suburbs and smaller communities, reinforcing a broader distribution strategy designed to keep participation convenient.
The return of televised draws and a boost to player engagement
One of the most visible changes under Sizekhaya’s leadership is the return of live televised lottery draws, which will once again be broadcast nationally.
The company views the reintroduction of live draws as a way to re-establish engagement and shared participation in the lottery experience. The decision was positioned not only as a nostalgic move but also as part of a broader effort to increase transparency and public connection.
Ndadana said the live draw contributed to a stronger sense of national participation and excitement, and described it as part of restoring visibility around the lottery process.
Sizekhaya has also stated its intention to create more winners more often, while maintaining compliance with responsible gaming standards and operational integrity.
Technology overhaul through Genlot partnership
A key pillar of the new operation is its technology partnership with Genlot, a global lottery systems provider responsible for providing the platform that supports retail and digital operations.
Genlot has implemented a system that includes point-of-sale terminals, mobile and online gaming infrastructure, real-time lottery management, business intelligence tools and integrated security systems designed to meet international regulatory standards.
Moses Tembe, Chairman of Sizekhaya Holdings, described the transition as a modernization effort.
"The future of the National Lottery must reflect the needs and expectations of modern South Africa. Through our partnership with Genlot, we are introducing a technologically advanced, transparent and player-focused lottery ecosystem that will expand participation, increase accessibility, create more opportunities for winners and strengthen public trust in this important national institution.”
Genlot’s leadership also highlights the scale of the project and its role in expanding the adoption of lottery technology across Africa.
The licensing structure underlying Sizekhaya’s operations places significant emphasis on funding public benefit programs. Most of the ticket revenue goes to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, which funds social and community development initiatives.
According to available data, the lottery has historically donated tens of billions of rand to good causes since its inception, with the ongoing hope that the new operator will expand its contribution over the life of the license.
The scale of the contract, combined with its eight-year duration, places it among the most significant public sector related commercial gaming arrangements in the country.
Political scrutiny and legal uncertainty continue
Even though operations have been handed over, licensing is still under legal challenge. Opposition parties and civil society organizations have expressed concerns about the tender process, citing alleged irregularities, governance issues and possible conflicts of interest involving consortium shareholders.
Critics pointed to links between certain stakeholders and politically connected individuals, calling for further investigation into the evaluation and award process.
Sizekhaya and its partners rejected the claims, and insisted the offers were awarded through a competitive and transparent process. The Consortium declares that no inappropriate political influence played a role and that all regulatory requirements have been complied with.
The matter is now headed to court, where legal challenges are expected to test the legality of the ruling.
