Ithuba welcomes high court ruling overturning lottery licence award - TimesLIVE

Former Lotto operator Ithuba says it is meeting with its legal team after winning its legal challenge on the government’s decision to award the National Lottery licence to Sizekhaya Holdings.

The Pretoria high court voided the deal and referred the awarding of the licence back to trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau for reconsideration.

Tau announced the award of the eight-year lottery licence to Sizekhaya Holdings in May 2025. The decision was challenged by the EFF and losing bidders Ringeta and Ithuba.

Ringeta was chosen as the initial preferred bidder by an evaluation committee, a decision that was tossed out by the ministerial committee appointed by Tau to evaluate the bid. The committee recommended Sizekhaya, with Ithuba the reserve bidder.

Ithuba, which had operated the national lottery as the third licence holder since June 2015, went to court to block the decision, arguing the minister’s reasons for awarding the licence to Sizekhaya, and his “record of decision”, had revealed irregularities.

Ithuba welcomed the high court ruling. “The judgment vindicates our stance that the appointment of the South African National Lottery operator must be guided by the principles of fairness, transparency and accountability and must comply with the applicable legal and regulatory framework,” the company said.

“Ithuba Lottery is reviewing the judgment with its legal representatives to consider its implications and the appropriate next steps.”