Job Description:
A leading iGaming and Sports Betting organisation is seeking an experienced Head of Compliance to take ownership of regulatory strategy, licensing governance, and compliance operations across its South African casino business. This is a critical leadership role responsible for safeguarding the companys licences, strengthening regulatory relationships, and ensuring the organisation operates to the highest legal, ethical, and operational standards within one of the most tightly regulated sectors.
This opportunity is ideally suited to a senior compliance professional who combines deep regulatory expertise with strong leadership capability and the confidence to operate at executive level, shaping policy, risk strategy, and long-term regulatory positioning.
The Role
As Head of Compliance, you will design, lead, and continuously evolve the companys compliance framework, ensuring full adherence to the National Gambling Act, provincial regulatory requirements, AML/KYC legislation, and all associated statutory obligations. You will serve as the primary regulatory interface for the organisation, providing strategic guidance to senior leadership while embedding a strong culture of compliance across all operational functions.
Your Key Job Responsibilities as Head of Compliance will include:
Regulatory & Licensing Leadership
- Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance framework aligned with South African gambling legislation and regulatory requirements
- Ensure full compliance with licensing conditions set by the National Gambling Board and relevant Provincial Gambling Boards
- Oversee the preparation, submission, and management of licence applications, renewals, and regulatory reporting obligations
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, advising executive leadership on strategic implications
AML / KYC & Risk Oversight
- Lead AML/KYC compliance programmes in accordance with FICA and related regulatory directives
- Establish monitoring controls and reporting structures to ensure ongoing compliance across operations
- Implement risk mitigation strategies to protect the organisation from regulatory exposure
Audit, Governance & Regulatory Engagement
- Coordinate and manage regulatory audits, inspections, and investigations, ensuring accurate and timely responses
- Maintain robust compliance reporting systems, records management, and governance processes
- Act as the primary liaison with regulators, legal advisors, and industry bodies
Operational Compliance Integration
- Partner with Product, Marketing, Customer Operations, and Commercial teams to ensure all campaigns, promotions, and player communications meet regulatory and ethical standards
- Lead company-wide compliance training programmes to ensure staff awareness and adherence to responsible gambling and regulatory obligations
- Embed compliance-by-design principles into operational and product processes
Leadership & Culture
- Lead and develop the compliance function, ensuring strong governance discipline and accountability across the organisation
- Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and proactive regulatory engagement
Success Measures
- Zero tolerance breaches of South African gambling legislation and licensing requirements
- Timely, accurate submission of all regulatory filings and compliance reports
- Successful regulatory audits with no material findings
- High staff compliance training completion rates
- Measurable reduction in compliance-related incidents and regulatory exposure
Requirements for this Head of Compliance role:
- 5–8+ years experience in compliance roles within gambling, financial services, fintech, or similarly regulated industries
- Minimum 3 years in a senior compliance leadership role within South Africa
- Proven experience working directly with South African regulatory authorities and licensing bodies
- Deep knowledge of the National Gambling Act, provincial gambling legislation, AML/KYC regulations, and FICA requirements
Capabilities
- Strong project management and cross-functional leadership capability
- Exceptional ability to interpret complex legislation and translate requirements into practical operational frameworks
- High levels of integrity, discretion, and ethical judgement
- Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to operate effectively in high-pressure, highly regulated environments
Why This Opportunity
This role places you at the regulatory core of a fast-growing iGaming organisation, where your leadership will directly protect licensing integrity, strengthen governance frameworks, and enable sustainable expansion within regulated markets. You will work closely with executive leadership, regulators, and operational teams, ensuring compliance becomes a strategic advantage rather than simply a control function.
For a senior compliance leader ready to influence regulatory strategy, build best-in-class governance frameworks, and operate at executive level within a dynamic industry, this is a defining career opportunity.